MOLEX: Q4 Standard Connectors to Increase by 3%-5%; NXP: Automotive MCUs Face Spot Market Shortages

Original Manufacturer Market Updates

TE: Manufacturer Conducting Strict Inspections of Distributor Channels

[News] It is reported that major connector manufacturers are investigating distributors for price arbitrage. Currently, TE/MOLEX requires international distributors to cease supplying trade customers, resulting in delayed deliveries for future orders placed through international channels. For local distributors, manufacturers are rigorously auditing invoices; those found engaging in price arbitrage face penalties ranging from cancellation of special pricing for individual SKUs to revocation of distribution qualifications. Additionally, trade customers must provide project details to qualify for competitive pricing quotes.

TI: Inventory Levels Remain Elevated

[Inventory] Inventory levels exceed 200 days and remain elevated.
[Revenue] Among TI's five end markets, the automotive segment has yet to recover fully. Q2 automotive revenue grew in the single digits year-over-year but declined in the single digits quarter-over-quarter. Moreover, TI's higher consumer segment exposure makes it more susceptible to fluctuations in consumer sentiment.
[Featured Part] The ADC08100CIMTCX/NOPB is a high-performance 8-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) designed for high-speed data acquisition systems. It achieves sampling rates up to 100 MSPS. Utilizing a pipelined architecture, it delivers exceptional dynamic performance and low power consumption, making it ideal for applications in communications, medical imaging, and industrial automation.
INA139NA/3K is a high-side current shunt monitor engineered for high-precision current sensing applications. Its compact SOT-23-5 package fits tight PCB designs, making it an ideal choice for current monitoring due to its high accuracy, low power consumption, and high reliability. It finds broad use in industrial, medical, automotive, and other sectors.

MOLEX: Q4 Standard Connector Price Increase of 3%-5%

[Pricing] According to channel feedback, driven by rising raw material costs (e.g., 12% increase in copper prices), standard connector prices are projected to rise by 3%-5% in Q4. However, premium product lines (such as automotive-grade FPC connectors) face significant technical barriers, leading to higher market price negotiation margins.
[Demand] Q4 growth projected in AI and data center sectors.

ADI: Production Capacity Rebounds, November Lead Times Return to Normal

[Lead Times] Q3 saw reduced capacity utilization due to unexpected events at European wafer fabs, but recovery is underway. Excluding this short-term disruption, utilization is steadily increasing alongside business growth and planned factory expansions.
[Hot Components] ADXL355BEZ prices have risen steadily since June, climbing from $30.97 to over $42.23.
[Insights] Industrial business will remain a key growth driver. ADI projects its automation revenue will double by 2030. Particularly in humanoid robots, each unit could incorporate ADI chips worth thousands of dollars, ten times the value in current AMR robots. This growth stems from the massive demand for sensors and actuators. Every joint and contact point requires precise sensing and motor control, areas closely aligned with ADI's strengths in signal chain and power management.

NXP: Automotive MCUs Face Shortage in Spot Market

[Demand] Demand for general-purpose MCUs and interface ICs remains flat; automotive MCU demand shows a modest recovery but still faces supply shortages, with prices remaining elevated.
[Inventory] General-purpose component channel inventories remain "relatively high," while automotive MCU spot inventory is scarce. Only a few distributors hold stock, and it commands a premium.
Hot Items: LPC1768FBD100 general-purpose MCU sees increased inquiries and searches, yet remains in ample supply with stable pricing.
MCIMX6Y2DVM09AA: Popular i.MX6 application processor with stable industrial demand and price sensitivity.
PCA82C250T: A CAN transceiver with sustained demand in the trade market. Current prices are relatively stable, but inventory levels continue to decline.
[News] Xiaomi 15S Pro announced to adopt Trimension SR200 chip for UWB contactless transit payments and digital car key functionality.

MICROCHIP: Inventory Returning to Normal Levels, Spot Prices Stabilizing

[Demand] Consumer electronics remain sluggish; automotive and industrial orders stand as the sole bright spots.
[Inventory] Manufacturers' "de-stocking" initiatives launched in 2024 show results. By August, channel inventories generally returned to healthy levels, stabilizing spot prices.
[Hot Components] ATMEGA328P-AU (8-bit AVR MCU): August inquiry searches increased; ample spot inventory.

ATMEGA128A-AU (AVR high-capacity MCU): Inventory decreased; price stabilization. 

MCP2551-I/SN (CAN transceiver): Used in automotive-grade networks and BMS systems; high demand paired with MCP2515.

ATMEGA328P-AU: Driven by recovering industrial demand, spot supply remains ample with stable pricing.

Renesas: Invests in Japanese Chip Startup

[News] (1) On September 12, Renesas Electronics held its RA MCU Online Summit, showcasing eight new MCU products spanning industrial automation, home appliances, new energy, metering, and AI applications. The event highlighted edge AI technology and featured MCUs specifically developed for AI applications.
(2) Renesas invests in chip company: NVIDIA challenger. A Japanese startup is designing cost-effective AI chips to challenge NVIDIA. The company's CEO stated plans to significantly boost sales next year and be "IPO-ready" by 2028.

MPS: Record Q2 Revenue Hits $740 Million

[Demand] From October 2024 to April 2025, MPS demand surged across consumer, industrial, and AI power sectors. Drone application demand grew significantly in May, but market activity slowed after late May.
Automotive Electronics Growth: Demand for automotive chips notably increased from late 2024 to early 2025, with 48V systems and regional architectures emerging as future growth drivers.

Nippon Chemi-Con: Prices for Specific Models Up 60% from Year-Start

[Pricing] Driven by rising raw material costs (e.g., aluminum foil), select models saw 60% price hikes compared to early 2024, with automotive-grade products maintaining elevated pricing.
[Demand] Surge in new energy vehicle sector; 2025 automotive-grade product orders up over 40% YoY. Photovoltaic storage and 5G base station construction drive industrial-grade demand, with lead times extending to 40 weeks.
[Supply Side] Upon the Chengdu R&D base's commencement of operations in 2026, annual chip testing capacity will reach 20 billion units, alleviating production constraints.
[Industry Forecast] China's aluminum electrolytic capacitor market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5%-7.8% from 2025-2030, with the new energy sector accounting for over 25%. Nippon Chemi-Con holds a significant advantage in its automotive-grade product line.

Hirose: Spot Prices Rising 5%-50% Across Select Channels

[Pricing] Traders anticipate spot shortages between October and December. Currently, some channels are implementing spot price increases ranging from 5% to 50%.
[Update] Channel sources indicate Hirose has implemented strict controls, leading to order restrictions for some traders and delayed shipments after orders are placed. Previously available models like the GT32-19 series are now unavailable for ordering.

WAGO: 25% Price Increase Effective October

[Price Hike] 221 Series: Global price control adjustments. A 25% overall list price increase is expected after October, with list prices rising to 40% by year-end. Customers requiring this series are advised to prioritize attention and stock up in advance.

BROADCOM: Price Reduction for Common SMD Optocouplers

[Pricing] Large shipments of familiar SMD optocoupler series 0631/0601/0600/HCNR201/HCNR200 have arrived, with prices reduced.
[Shortage] Receiver models 2418TZ and 1521ETZ face delayed shipments from the manufacturer. Inventory requires allocation, reservation, or direct ordering.

INFINEON: mosfet (IRF) Capacity Constraints

[Pricing] With the fiscal year ending in September, original manufacturer pricing for materials is expiring sequentially. Prices for specific special-priced models may face upward adjustments.
[Lead Times] Recent capacity constraints at Infineon's MOSFET (IRF) factory have caused shortages and rapid market turnover for particular models. Order delivery schedules may experience delays.

TDK: Lead Times Shortened for Select Components

[Pricing] Prices remain relatively stable.
[New Products] CarXield has introduced standardized EMC filters for xEV platforms, primarily used for EMI noise suppression in the powertrains of commercial electric vehicles and electric passenger cars. Series number: B84252x.

Silicon Labs: Severe Shortages, Across-the-Board Price Increases

[Pricing] Severe shortages and across-the-board price increases due to multiple factors, including wafer capacity constraints and near-complete inventory depletion.
[Hot Components] The entire EFM8BB51F16G-C-QFN20R series is in short supply, with high market demand. Primary applications include: home appliances, toys, personal care products, battery packs, optical modules, etc.

ROHM: Q2 Revenue Down 1.8% YoY

[Revenue] April-June 2025 fiscal year revenue reached $787 million, down 1.8% year-over-year. Net profit decreased 14.3% YoY, while operating profit plunged 84.6%, indicating significant pressure in cost control. Sales in the automotive and industrial sectors declined by 7% and 5% respectively.
[Products] Accelerating R&D and commercialization of next-generation silicon carbide (SiC) products. Plans to provide 5th-generation SiC MOSFET samples for quality evaluation within this year. 6th-generation product launch advanced from 2029 to 2027.

Realtek (Taiwan):

[Products] Its strong brands in communication network chips and multimedia chips can replace international top-tier brands like Qualcomm, Broadcom, MediaTek, Marvell, and Intel, holding significant market shares, particularly in Wi-Fi chips, Ethernet chips, Bluetooth chips, and audio chips.

Chip Vision (Industry Insights)

Global dram Market Size Grows 20% Quarter-on-Quarter in Q2 2025, Setting New Quarterly Record.
August 18, According to the latest statistics from Flash Market, driven by two factors: the sustained growth in demand for high-value DRAM represented by AI-driven HBM3E and high-capacity DDR5, and the rapid surge in prices and demand for traditional DDR4/LPDDR4X stimulated by end-of-life (EOL) notices from memory manufacturers in Q2, the global DRAM market size grew 20% quarter-on-quarter to $32.101 billion in Q2 2025, setting a new historical quarterly high. Among the players, SK Hynix continued to strengthen its dominance in the DRAM market, securing the top position with a 38.2% market share in Q2 and widening its lead over Samsung.