Intel: Their Week in the Spotlight

Intel: Their Week in the Spotlight
by Paul McLellan on 08-13-2015 at 3:00 pm

Next week is the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) here in San Francisco at the Moscone Center. I’ll be there at least some of the time. But it is also the time that people who haven’t a clue about semiconductors and the market that it serves get to lap up press releases and try and sound intelligent.

For example:
Intel is aboutRead More


Internet of Things Bubble?

Internet of Things Bubble?
by Bill Jewell on 07-15-2015 at 10:00 pm

Speaking at the World Business Forum in Sydney, Australia in May, Steve Wonziak (cofounder of Apple) said about the Internet of Things : “I feel it’s kind of like a bubble, because there is a pace at which human beings can change the way they do things. There are tons of companies starting up.” According to market… Read More


Semiconductors off to slow start in 2015

Semiconductors off to slow start in 2015
by Bill Jewell on 03-23-2015 at 4:30 pm

A weak first quarter outlook for the semiconductor market is indicating a slow start to 2015. Intel recently lowered the midpoint of its 1Q 2015 revenue guidance from $13.7 billion (down 7% from 4Q 2014) to $12.8 billion (down 13%). The table below shows the estimated top 25 semiconductor companies revenue change for 4Q 2014 versus… Read More


Where have all the semiconductor drivers gone?

Where have all the semiconductor drivers gone?
by Bill Jewell on 11-24-2014 at 11:30 pm

Tablets and smartphones have been key drivers of electronics and semiconductor growth for the last few years. However the growth rates for these devices are slowing as they have become more prevalent. Tablet shipments are expected to reach 229 million units in 2014, according to Gartner, equal to 73% of PC units. IDC projects smartphones… Read More


Electronics growth positive around the world

Electronics growth positive around the world
by Bill Jewell on 06-26-2014 at 6:00 pm

Electronics production growth has turned positive in 2014 for all key geographic regions. The graph below shows three-month-average change versus a year ago for electronics production in local currency through April 2014. Total industrial production is used for Europe (EU countries) and South Korea since electronic production… Read More


2014 Semiconductor Growth Could be 2X 2013 Rate

2014 Semiconductor Growth Could be 2X 2013 Rate
by Bill Jewell on 02-21-2014 at 10:00 am

The fourth quarter 2013 semiconductor market declined 0.8% from the third quarter, according to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS). Full year 2013 growth was 4.8%. Our most recent 2013 forecast at Semiconductor Intelligence was 6% in November 2013, based on expectations of positive growth in 4Q 2013. Who had the most… Read More


Tablets, smartphones & China still driving growth

Tablets, smartphones & China still driving growth
by Bill Jewell on 10-23-2013 at 10:36 pm

Media tablets and smartphones have been the two most significant drivers of electronics and semiconductor growth for the last few years. Forecasts from two major market research firms indicate these devices will continue to be major drivers for the next few years. For 2013, Gartner and IDC (International Data Corporation) both… 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


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