Over the past three months, the prices of memory chips have witnessed a substantial hike, with DRAM memory chips, in particular, experiencing a remarkably sharp increase. Spot prices for these chips have soared to two or three times their initial levels, resulting in a significant uptick in profits for manufacturers in the upstream segment of the industry. In the fourth quarter, contract prices for 8Gb DDR4 chips climbed by 42.9%, while spot prices took an even more dramatic leap, surging by 197%. Looking ahead, it is anticipated that prices will continue their upward trajectory, with an expected 50% increase in the first quarter of the coming year, bringing them close to the levels of spot prices at approximately $13.5.
