Semiconductor equipment returns to growth

Semiconductor equipment returns to growth
by Bill Jewell on 06-14-2012 at 7:37 pm

Semiconductor manufacturing equipment has returned to growth after a falloff in the second half of 2011. Combined data from SEMI (U.S. andEuropean companies) and SEAJ (Japanese companies) show billings peaked at a three-month-average of $3.2 billion in May 2011. Bookings and billings began todrop in June 2011, with billings… Read More


Only slight growth in 2012 semiconductor market

Only slight growth in 2012 semiconductor market
by Bill Jewell on 05-09-2012 at 11:24 pm

The world semiconductor market declined 2.2% in 1Q 2012 from 4Q 2011, according to WSTS. The market ended 2011 on a down slide, with 4Q 2011 down 7.7% from 3Q 2011. The year 2011 semiconductor market was up only 0.4%.

Three major events contributed to the weakness in 2011:

[LIST=1]

  • March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan disrupted
  • Read More

    SICAS is dead (and WSTS isn’t feeling too good)

    SICAS is dead (and WSTS isn’t feeling too good)
    by Bill Jewell on 03-13-2012 at 8:16 pm

    The SICAS (Semiconductor Industry Capacity Statistics) program has been discontinued after the release of the 4Q 2011 data, available through the SIA at http://www.sia-online.org/industry-statistics/semiconductor-capacity-utilization-sicas-reports/

    The latest report stated: “Due to significant changes in the… Read More


    2012 semiconductor market could decline by 1% or more

    2012 semiconductor market could decline by 1% or more
    by Bill Jewell on 02-29-2012 at 6:00 pm

    The world semiconductor market grew a slight 0.4% in 2011, according to WSTS. In early 2011, expectations were for growth in the 6% to 10% range. Various natural and man-made disasters lead to weaker than expected growth. The March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan disrupted semiconductor and electronics production. Floods… Read More


    What products shown at CES will drive electronics and semiconductor growth in 2012?

    What products shown at CES will drive electronics and semiconductor growth in 2012?
    by Bill Jewell on 01-17-2012 at 11:20 am

    The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last week in Las Vegas, Nevada was the largest in history, with over 3,100 exhibitors and over 153,000 attendees – over 20% international. Hopefully this was a good sign of a solid recovery in the electronics and semiconductor industries. The major Japanese and Korean consumerRead More


    IC capacity utilization declined in 3Q 2011

    IC capacity utilization declined in 3Q 2011
    by Bill Jewell on 12-14-2011 at 11:54 pm

    SICAS (Semiconductor Industry Capacity Statistics) has released its 3Q 2011 data, available through the SIA at: SICAS data . Beginning with 2Q 2011 the SICAS membership list no longer includes the Taiwanese companies Nanya Technology, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC) or United Microelectronics Corporation… Read More


    Semiconductor market to grow 3% in 2011, 9% in 2012

    Semiconductor market to grow 3% in 2011, 9% in 2012
    by Bill Jewell on 11-16-2011 at 9:00 pm

    The outlook for the global semiconductor market in 2011 has deteriorated from earlier in the year due to multiple factors including slower than expected economic growth in the U.S., debt crises in Europe and the Japan earthquake and tsunami. Recent forecasts have narrowed down to a range of -1.4% to 3.5%. In the first half of 2011,Read More


    SICAS capacity data loses TSMC and UMC

    SICAS capacity data loses TSMC and UMC
    by Bill Jewell on 10-19-2011 at 10:26 am

    SICAS (Semiconductor Industry Capacity Statistics) has released its 2Q 2011 data with significant changes in membership. The data is available through the SIA at: SICASdata The SICAS membership list no longer includes the Taiwanese companies Nanya Technology, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC) or UnitedRead More


    Semiconductor equipment spending beginning to decline

    Semiconductor equipment spending beginning to decline
    by Bill Jewell on 09-25-2011 at 7:41 pm

    Semiconductor manufacturing equipment shipments have leveled off after a strong rebound from the 2008-2009 downturn. August 2011 three-month-average shipments based on combined data from SEMI (North American and European companies) and SEAJ (Japanese companies) were $2.9 billion, down from a peak of $3.2 billion in May Read More


    Economic news not all bad for semiconductors

    Economic news not all bad for semiconductors
    by Bill Jewell on 08-30-2011 at 2:06 pm



    The economic news lately has been bleak. U.S. GDP grew at an anemic 0.4% in 1Q 2011 and 1.0% in 2Q 2011 – leading to increased concerns about a double-dip recession. High government debt levels in the U.S. and several European nations have contributed to volatile stock markets. The news does not seem to be any better for the semiconductorRead More