Aluminum capacitor prices to rise on higher yen

Japan-based aluminum capacitor vendors are likely to raise their prices, in order to minimize the impact of a stronger yen, according to industry sources. The price of Japan-based aluminum capacitors has not been adjusted in the past year. Nichidenbo (NDB), a distributor for Nippon Chemi-con in Taiwan, has responded to the speculation by saying that it has not been notified of any price adjustment for aluminum capacitors. NDB said it has seen shipments grow in the networking segment, while products used in notebooks are staying flat while demand from power supplies is weakening. The company's fourth-quarter 2009 revenues are likely to drop by 10%, the sources estimated. Japan-based makers Nippon Chemi-con and Nichicon are still seeing losses and both have lowered their financial guidance for the fiscal year of 2009 (April 2009-March 2010).