Rising Memory Prices Weigh on Apple and Hardware Component Makers’ Stocks

Rising memory prices have increased pressure on electronics manufacturers, led by Apple, as memory and storage components become a growing investment risk with no clear signs of easing.

Analysts note that companies are facing difficult choices amid high memory prices, either absorbing margin losses or raising product prices to offset higher costs, potentially hurting demand.

Surging demand driven by artificial intelligence has resulted in what research firms describe as an unprecedented shortage of memory chips, triggering sharp price increases and intensifying pressure on companies such as Apple, HP, and Dell.

Apple shares underperformed in the past year compared with the Nasdaq 100, while HP stock fell to its lowest level since 2020, as investors warned that sustained memory prices could continue to weigh on valuations.

Meanwhile, memory manufacturers have benefited from the rally, with companies including Sandisk, Micron, and Western Digital posting strong gains, supported by higher DRAM and NAND prices expected to persist throughout 2026.