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Memory Chips Emerge as Dominant Force in Semiconductor Industry Amid AI Boom
Electronic Technology · Semiconductors · yonhap_finance · 2026-09-09
Memory semiconductors now account for over half of global chip revenue, driven by intense AI demand and significant price hikes, according to Susquehanna.
What Happened
Dominance of Memory Chips: Memory semiconductors have become the central pillar of the global chip industry, fueled by the ongoing artificial intelligence boom. Analysts note that memory chips now represent 50% to 55% of total semiconductor revenue, a significant jump from the historical 20% to 30% range.
Market Outlook: Susquehanna analyst Mehdi Hosseini projects global semiconductor revenue to reach $1.5 trillion this year, identifying memory as the primary growth engine. The surge in AI-driven demand has created severe supply shortages, leading to substantial price increases across the sector.
Price Trajectory: D램 prices are expected to climb 50% this quarter with a further 20% increase in Q4, while NAND flash prices are forecasted to rise 60% this quarter and another 25% in the next. Experts suggest that without the memory segment, the overall price growth in the semiconductor industry would have been much more moderate.
Market Performance: Memory-related stocks rallied on the New York Stock Exchange following the report. Major players like Micron and SanDisk saw significant gains, while SK Hynix's ADR surged over 7%, reflecting strong investor confidence in the sector's near-term prospects.