The global chip shortage doesn’t mean all semiconductor prices will shoot up equally, says Natixis chief economist

The global chip shortage is causing problems for multiple industries and shows no signs of abating, but don’t expect prices for all types of chips to shoot up, says the Asia-Pacific chief economist of research firm Natixis. Car makers have been hit hardest by the shortage, but the crisis affects everything from gaming consoles to televisions.

But not all industries or products may suffer the same way. In fact, there might even be an oversupply of certain chips, according to Alicia Garcia-Herrero of Natixis. “Those chips that for which I am expecting overcapacity, are the kind of lower-end chips,” she told CNBC on Thursday. “This is because China is entering that part of the supply chain very quickly with huge investment.”

“The lower end chips will have plummeting prices, very likely … But for the best ones — those that really are relevant for 5G and electric vehicles — we want. So these will have some inflationary consequences,” she said. The ongoing shortage was partly driven by companies stockpiling as the pandemic swept across the world and supply fears grew.

But geopolitics is playing a part too. Amid the tech race between both giants, the U.S. last year placed restrictions on China’s biggest chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, barring it from getting advanced manufacturing gear, and making it harder to sell its finished products to companies with American ties. As a result, some companies decided to stockpile essential chips ahead of those restrictions.

The global chip shortage doesn’t mean all semiconductor prices will shoot up equally, says Natixis chief economist, CNBC, Jun 4