<<''The underlying fundamentals of the semiconductor business are strong,'' said Steven Appleton, chief executive of memory chip maker
Micron Technology Inc. ''There is no question this industry will continue to drive the world economy in technology advancements and value added to raw materials.''
The rebound in 1999 from 1998 will be paced by sales of microprocessors -- the brains of personal computers -- memory chips and digital signal processors, or DSPs, which help convert sound, pressure and light into the digital language of computers.
The SIA forecast also called for sales to rise 15.2 percent in 2000 and 18.2 percent in 2001. During the next three years, the market should grow by 42 percent to $182 billion, Appleton said in a statement.
The memory market, which has seen prices plunge since early 1996 because of overcapacity, should hit bottom this year as sales fall 25.7 percent to $21.8 billion. The market is forecast to bounce back 18.1 percent in 1999 to $25.8 billion, surge 23 percent in 2000 and 28 percent in 2001 to $40.5 billion.>>
Hey, I can forecast too, why not? "my forecast also called for sales to rise 24.275 percent in 2002, 37.254976% in 2003, and 78.284 percent in 2004." (just don't ask plus or minus, otherwise numbers are real good) -g- |
