Can China alone drive semiconductor growth?

Can China alone drive semiconductor growth?
by Bill Jewell on 06-25-2013 at 9:04 pm

Production of electronic equipment (including computers, communications, consumer, etc.) has been sluggish over the last year in all key regions of the world except China. The chart below shows three-month-average change versus a year ago for electronics production in local currency through April 2013 (May 2013 for China).… Read More


2013 semcionductor market forecast lowered to 6% from 7.5%

2013 semcionductor market forecast lowered to 6% from 7.5%
by Bill Jewell on 05-30-2013 at 9:00 am

The global semiconductor market was weaker than expected in 1Q 2013, down 4.5% from 4Q 2012 according to WSTS. Much of the softnes was attributable to a major falloff in the PC market. According to International Data Corporation (IDC), 1Q 2013 PC shipments were down 15% from 4Q 2012 and down 14% from 1Q 2012. Other key end markets remained… Read More


Recovery in 2013 Semiconductor Capex

Recovery in 2013 Semiconductor Capex
by Bill Jewell on 04-29-2013 at 11:00 pm

Semiconductor manufacturing equipment has been on an upswing for the last few months. Combined data from Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) and Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ) shows three-month-average bookings have increased for five consecutive months through March 2013.… Read More


Tablets & smart phones driving electronics growth

Tablets & smart phones driving electronics growth
by Bill Jewell on 03-19-2013 at 8:10 pm

Worldwide electronics bounced back strongly in 2010 after the recession of 2008-2009. Every region experienced solid growth, ranging from high single-digit growth in the U.S. to over 20% in the key Asian countries. However in the last two years electronics has slowed down significantly. Several factors contributed to this … Read More


Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future

Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future
by Bill Jewell on 02-20-2013 at 8:01 pm

The above quote is attributed to both physicist Niels Bohr and baseball’s Yogi Berra. The statement certainly applies to predicting the semiconductor market. Semiconductors operate on physical principles. However the market for semiconductors is affected by numerous factors. The outcome of a baseball game can be determinedRead More


Semiconductors Down 2.7% in 2012, May Grow 7.5% in 2013

Semiconductors Down 2.7% in 2012, May Grow 7.5% in 2013
by Bill Jewell on 02-06-2013 at 10:29 pm

Guidance 1Q13 292x300

The world semiconductor market in 2012 was $292 billion – down 2.7% from $300 billion in 2011, according to WSTS. The 2012 decline followed a slight gain of 0.4% in 2011. Fourth quarter 2012 was down 0.3% from third quarter. The first quarter of the 2013 will likely show a decline from 4Q 2012 based on typical seasonal patterns and theRead More


Equipment Down 16% in 2012, Flat to Down in 2013

Equipment Down 16% in 2012, Flat to Down in 2013
by Bill Jewell on 12-22-2012 at 8:30 pm

Shipments of semiconductor manufacturing equipment have been trending downward since June 2012, based on combined data from SEMI for North American and European manufacturers and from SEAJ for Japanese manufacturers. The market bounced back strongly in late 2009 and in 2010 after the 2008 downturn to return to the $3 billionRead More


Semiconductor market negative in 2012

Semiconductor market negative in 2012
by Bill Jewell on 11-15-2012 at 12:30 am

September WSTS data shows the 3Q 2012 semiconductor market increased 1.8% from 2Q 2012. The year 2012 semiconductor market will certainly show a decline. 4Q 2012 would need to grow 11% to result in positive growth for 2012. The outlook for key semiconductor companies points to a 4Q 2012 roughly flat with 3Q 2012. The table below showsRead More


iPhone 5: Boost to semiconductor market?

iPhone 5: Boost to semiconductor market?
by Bill Jewell on 09-25-2012 at 11:03 pm

The release of Apple’s iPhone 5 has led to much speculation on its impact on the economy. An analyst at J.P. Morgan estimated the iPhone 5 could add $3.2 billion to U.S. GDP in the fourth quarter, adding ¼ to ½ point to the GDP growth rate.

Analysts’ estimates for total iPhone sales in 4Q 2012 are in the range of 46 million to 50 million units.Read More


2012 semiconductor market decline likely

2012 semiconductor market decline likely
by Bill Jewell on 08-16-2012 at 9:00 pm

The worldwide semiconductor market in 2Q 2012 was $73.1 billion, according to WSTS data released by the SIA. 2Q 2012 was up 4.7% from 1Q 2012 but down 2.0% from 2Q 2011. Major semiconductor companies are generally expecting slower revenue growth in 3Q 2012 versus 2Q 2012. The table below shows revenue estimates for calendar 3Q 2012… Read More