Passives
Capacitors (MLCC, tantalum, aluminum), resistors, inductors.
Lead-time range, Dec 2025 – Jul 2026
Monthly status
Why it's moving
Tantalum and high-capacitance MLCCs above 1uF keep stretching as AI server boards absorb high-CV parts; FTZ delays add weeks on select ceramic families. Standard commodity capacitors and resistors remain completely stable — the category split is between specialty and commodity, not across the board.
AI demand pull
AI infrastructure build-out is absorbing wafer capacity and components — HBM output displaces commodity DRAM/NAND, and AI servers pull power ICs, MLCCs, high-speed interconnect and optical modules.Avnet: The 2026 memory shortage and the AI supercycle (2026-01)
Japan concentration
Japanese makers hold over 60% of MLCC value (Murata alone ~40%) and, with Shin-Etsu and SUMCO, over half of 300mm silicon wafer capacity.Mordor Intelligence: MLCC market share analysis (2026)
Analyst read as of July 2026. Facts cited via the driver tags above; the interpretation is the analyst's own.
Subcategories, July 2026
| Subcategory | Status | Lead time | Trend | Pricing | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLCCs | 3 · Alert | 16–40 wks | rising | rising | High-cap (>1uF) ceramics tightening; commodity values stable. |
| Tantalum capacitors | 3 · Alert | 20–40 wks | rising | rising | Polymer and MnO2 both moving up. |
Month by month
- Jul 20263 · AlertSpecialty side moved from watch to alert in May, stayed there.
- Jun 20263 · AlertMLCCs a stronger watch signal; specialty tightening.
- May 20263 · AlertSpecialty passives tightening; moved from watch to alert.
- Apr 20262 · WatchSpecialty stretching: tantalum and MLCCs above 1uF moving up; standard commodity capacitors stable.
- Mar 20262 · WatchTantalum and high-capacitance MLCCs tightening; FTZ delays adding weeks on select ceramic families.
- Feb 20262 · WatchGeneral capacitors stable; high-capacitance ceramics (>1uF) increasing lead time and pricing across the board.
- Jan 20262 · WatchSelect segments showing upward pricing indicators; high-capacitance ceramics (>1uF) increasing.
Data table
| Month | Status | Lead time | Pulse Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026 | 3 · Alert | 12–40 wks | — |
| Jun 2026 | 3 · Alert | 12–38 wks | — |
| May 2026 | 3 · Alert | 12–36 wks | — |
| Apr 2026 | 2 · Watch | — | — |
| Mar 2026 | 2 · Watch | — | — |
| Feb 2026 | 2 · Watch | — | — |
| Jan 2026 | 2 · Watch | — | — |
Latest reading synthesized from: Avnet Abacus Lead-Time Guide · Future Electronics Market Conditions Report · TTI Lead Time Trends — see methodology.