Semi Equipment Demand Rising. Or Falling. Depends Who You Ask.
Posted by Eric Savitz, Barron's, July 10, 2006, 2:45 pm
The nice thing about market research firms is that you can shop around and find one that’s sympathetic with your own view. Consider, for instance, two recent reports on the outlook for spending in the semiconductor equipment business. According to this story published by EETimes.com, the market research firm Strategic Marketing Associates sees demand for semiconductor production equipment and materials rising 19% this year and another 10% next year, hitting $40 billion in 2007, which would be the highest level since 2000. The firm sees the industry bringing 35 new fabs online by the end of 2007, much of that to meet demand for DRAM and flash memories.
Too bullish for you? Then read about the new Gartner forecast for the very same sector. Gartner, it seems sees 24.8% growth this year, but then a 3.3% decline next year, “as the industry slows its rate of expansion to digest the new capacity recently coming online.”
We report, you decide. |
