Gartner lowers chip-equipment forecast amid downturn
Silicon Strategies
10/09/2003, 11:00 AM ET
STAMFORD, Conn. -- Low second quarter sales and slow order momentum have dimmed the growth prospects for semiconductor capital equipment in 2003, according to the quarterly forecast by Gartner Inc.
Gartner analysts said the industry's fundamentals remain poised for long-term growth, however, growth in 2003 will not be as strong as originally forecast.
Worldwide semiconductor capital spending is forecast to total $29.7 billion in 2003, a 7.9 percent increase from 2002. While quarterly capital spending momentum by several semiconductor vendors was slow in the second quarter, recent improvements in wafer fab equipment bookings are encouraging for second half 2003 spending and sales. Wafer fab equipment sales are projected to grow 1.1 percent in 2003, while packaging and assembly equipment is on pace for 19.8 percent growth.
"Ultra-conservatism is holding back spending on new equipment, at least for the wafer fab. As harsh as it might sound for capital equipment vendors, the cautious investment behavior might actually be for the better of the industry," says Klaus-Dieter Rinnen, managing vice president for Gartner's semiconductor manufacturing and design research group. "After a dramatic drop in second quarter sales, wafer fab equipment is finally picking up steam in the second half of the year, but it is more of a deliberate investment increase than an industry wide surge." |
