为了解决这种周期性波动,晶片制造商正致力于推广长期协议(LTA)。这些协议通常需要客户支付现金预付款并同意特定的价格区间,从而有助于平抑价格波动并为制造商提供可持续的盈利。
然而,签署这些合约也伴随著挑战,因为制造商必须在市场大涨时放弃部分利润空间,且如何拿捏谈判筹码、错开合约期限以及提高财务透明度,将是维持其万亿美元市值的关键。
Despite recording record earnings, the world's largest memory chipmakers, such as SK Hynix and Micron Technology, face investor skepticism regarding their ability to escape the industry's notorious boom-and-bust cycles, resulting in elevated stock volatility.
To counter this cyclicality, chipmakers are pursuing long-term agreements (LTAs). These contracts typically require customers to make cash deposits and agree to a set price range, which helps flatten price volatility and secure sustainable earnings.
However, executing these contracts is challenging because manufacturers must sacrifice a portion of their profit upside during market surges, and balancing bargaining power, staggering agreement timelines, and improving transparency are critical to maintaining their valuation.