“Revenue from sales of DRAM products increased 50 percent in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter due to a 25 percent increase in sales volume and a 21 percent increase in average selling prices. Revenue from sales of NAND Flash products increased 21 percent in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter due to a 16 percent increase in sales volume and a five percent increase in average selling prices. The company’s gross margin on sales of memory products improved from 12 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 to 27 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 due primarily to the increases in average selling prices.”
These results are particularly notable given that memory prices historically follow a persistent downward trajectory (for example, see this chart). While Micron describes market conditions as “improving,” it of course remains to be seen whether the industry can sustain these price hikes (PC World predicts that prices will indeed increase in 2010). If so, such a milestone will speak volumes about inflationary pressures building in the economy.
The stock market responded strongly to these results: MU rose 6% on the news hitting fresh 2-year highs.
