IC recovery due in Q4 '03, says research firm
Semiconductor Business News
07/09/2003, 2:00 PM ET
siliconstrategies.com
CUPERTINO, Calif. -- The start of the semiconductor "escalation" is imminent, with the long-awaited recovery due in the fourth quarter of 2003, according to a report from market research house Advanced Forecasting Inc.
Advanced Forecasting believes the semiconductor industry is entering into a significant recovery period. While this recovery will not demonstrate the steep growth rate experienced during the 1999 to 2000 boom period, the Cupertino-based firm claims the impending increase will be strong nonetheless.
"The next stage of the recovery was set in motion by factors we measured a year and half ago," says Rosa Luis, director of marketing and sales for Advanced Forecasting, in a statement. "Knowing the timing of that turning-point is crucial in order for companies to be able to prepare. Advanced Forecasting informed its clients that it would occur during Q4-2003, and we stand behind that forecast."
Several trends in the semiconductor industry point to a strong recovery, such as the expansion of foundries in Asia and increasing IC unit sales that reached 7.28 billion in May 2003, only 5 percent below its peak in late 2000, point toward a robust recovery.
Despite indications toward the positive, the general feeling is that the recovery cannot take place without the "killer app." "The existence of a 'killer app' isn't required for a recovery to take place," says Luis. "The underlying demand for ICs is the required driver which allows 'killer apps' to develop and be successful." |
