US-Iran conflict escalates energy costs and inflation, impacting global supply chains via AI demand and geopolitics. Passive component sector faces capacity shifts; Japanese-Korean suppliers pivot to high-end AI, while weak consumer demand sparks pricing divergences, with some testing moderate hikes for profit optimization.

Key Highlights

• US-Iran conflict prolongs, driving up energy and transport costs, fueling global inflation, affecting consumer spending and corporate investments, reshaping electronics demand structures. 
• AI emerges as key demand outlet, with passive component supply chains facing inflation crises; Japanese-Korean suppliers reallocate capacity toward high-end AI, reducing consumer resources.
• Laptop brands initiate stockpiling and early shipments to mitigate off-peak risks in the latter half, controlling costs and meeting low-price expectations.
• Pricing strategies diverge; some suppliers like Japanese firms raise quotes for consumer and automotive products, while Taiwanese negotiate adjustments on low-margin items.
• Industry giants remain silent on broad hikes, but overall sentiment supports upward pricing; high-end MLCC supply tightens, potentially leading to mild price increases later in the year.

Table of Contents

1. Macroeconomic Uncertainty Leaves AI as the Sole Demand Driver, Prompting Divergent Pricing Strategies Among MLCC Suppliers
2. NB Brands Initiate Strategic Stockpiling and Early Shipments in Anticipation of a Demand Correction in 2H26
3. Political and Economic Turbulences Exacerbate the AI vs. Consumer Demand Divide, Prompting Divergent Pricing Strategies
4. Trendforce's View 

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