Asian PC Market Returns to Pre-Crisis Levels in Fourth Quarter, Says IDC
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Fourth quarter PC shipments in
Asia/Pacific increased 7 percent from the same period a year-earlier and over
11 percent from Q3 1998, according to preliminary data released today by
International Data Corporation (IDC). The results signal a rebound in many
regional markets as shipments increased annually for the first time in 1998.
Total regional PC shipments amounted to 2.89 million units in Q4 1998, which
is the highest total ever for the regional PC market. Despite the positive
indications at the end of 1998, PC shipment growth for the entire year was
still negative. According to preliminary findings, 10.47 million PCs were
shipped in 1998 compared to 10.54 million units in 1997, a decrease of
0.6 percent. Nevertheless, the worst is likely behind the regional PC market
after a year of economic, social and political turmoil. In 1999, IDC
forecasts the regional market to recover from it's poor performance in 1998 as
annual shipment growth is expected to exceed 14 percent.
"With the fourth quarter results, there is reason for guarded optimism
looking toward 1999," said Kitty Fok, Research Manager at IDC Asia/Pacific.
"If market conditions in China, India and Australia remain healthy, the
regional PC market should generate solid gains in 1999 producing the highest
annual shipment total to date for the regional market."
Competitively, Compaq will finish the year atop the regional PC market
with 8.5 percent market share. Compaq was trailed by IBM with an 8.1 percent
market share while Legend and Hewlett-Packard tied for third place, both with
5.4 percent market share. Acer managed to edge out Samsung for the fifth
place position with 4.7 percent share. The greatest gains among competitors
in 1998 were made by Legend and Dell with annual unit shipment increases of
73.4 percent and 45.9 percent, respectively. Legend's growth was fueled by
its dominance in the Chinese PC market which accounted for 37.5 percent of the
regional market in 1998. Dell's gains were distributed throughout the region
as the direct model gained acceptance in many Asian markets. Results from the
fourth quarter will help set the competitive environment for the PC market in
1999.
In Q4 1998, IBM replaced Compaq as the leading regional vendor while
Legend planted itself firmly as the region's third largest vendor, pushing
Hewlett-Packard to the fourth place position. Legend and Dell continued to
lead the market in growth terms, but Apple also produced solid growth for the
second straight quarter due largely to the success of it's iMac product line.
Market Highlights
The year ended in the same way as it began, with China, Australia and
India acting as a counter-balance against steep market losses in Southeast
Asia and Korea. The sharpest market losses in 1998 were experienced in
Indonesia, Thailand and Korea as shipments in each market declined 81.1
percent, 40.5 percent and 34.3 percent, respectively. Other markets with
negative annual shipment growth rates were Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Hong Kong with decreases ranging from over 34 percent to 0.1%.
Of these markets, the only two to post positive annual shipment growth in the
fourth quarter were Thailand and the Philippines.. In contrast, conditions in
China, India, Australia, Taiwan and New Zealand remained positive throughout
the 1998. China and India led the region in growth with gains of 29.5 percent
and 31.5 percent, respectively. Growth in China slowed from the previous year
figure of 44 percent, but market gains continued to be supported by the home
market, low PC penetration and economic expansion. Conversely, growth in
India accelerated in 1998 due to very strong home and small office market
growth coupled with Intel's support of small assemblers and local brands which
enabled average prices to decline. Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan
generated healthy PC market growth due largely to economies that remained
mostly stable throughout the year.
These findings stem from IDC's Asia/Pacific AsiaDAT Quarterly PC Tracker.
To purchase this service, please contact Ronnie Gilligan-White at 508-935-4174
or by e-mail at rgilligan-white@idc.com. For more information on IDC
Asia/Pacific's research offerings, please contact Lisa Bloom or Beth Freedman
at 508-872-8200.
Table 1
AP (Ex. Japan) Preliminary PC Shipments, 1998 (Thousands of Units)
Vendor 1997 Share 1998 Share Growth
(98/97)
Compaq/Digital 974 9.2% 891 8.5% -8.5%
IBM 820 7.8% 848 8.1% 3.3%
Legend 325 3.1% 564 5.4% 73.4%
Hewlett-Packard 482 4.6% 564 5.4% 17.1%
Acer 604 5.7% 488 4.7% -19.3%
Others 7,333 69.6% 7,115 68.0% -3.0%
Total 10,538 100.0% 10,470 100.0% -0.6%
Source: International Data Corporation, 1999
Table 2
AP (Ex. Japan) PC Preliminary Shipments, 1998 (Thousands of Units)
Countries 1997 Share 1998 Share Growth
(98/97)
Australia 1,520 14.4% 1,699 16.2% 11.8%
Hong Kong 406 3.9% 406 3.9% -0.1%
India 590 5.6% 776 7.4% 31.5%
Indonesia 393 3.7% 74 0.7% -81.1%
Korea 1,861 17.7% 1,222 11.7% -34.3%
Malaysia 538 5.1% 396 3.8% -26.4%
New Zealand 251 2.4% 263 2.5% 4.7%
Philippines 204 1.9% 164 1.6% -19.8%
PRC 3,034 28.8% 3,929 37.5% 29.5%
Singapore 370 3.5% 332 3.2% -10.2%
Taiwan 634 6.0% 684 6.5% 8.0%
Thailand 308 2.9% 183 1.8% -40.5%
ROAP 430 4.1% 343 3.3% -20.3%
Total 10,538 100.0% 10,471 100.0% -0.6%
Source: International Data Corporation, 1999
IDC Asia/Pacific is a subsidiary of U.S. market research firm
International Data Corporation. Data includes aggregate shipments from IDC
offices in Australia, New Zealand, Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore,
Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, India and the 'Rest of
Asia/Pacific' (ROAP).
About IDC
International Data Corporation is the information technology industry's
most comprehensive resource on worldwide IT markets, trends, products,
vendors, and geographies. IDC provides data, analysis and advisory services to
the world's leading IT suppliers as well as IS professionals in finance,
insurance, entertainment, advertising, consumer goods and publishing. IDC's
research and opinions are based on the results of more than 300,000 end-user
surveys, in-depth competitive analysis, broad technology coverage, and
strategic analysis. IDC is committed to providing global research with local
content through its 500 analysts in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Additional information on IDC can be found on its Web site at
idc.com.
IDC is a division of International Data Group, the world's leading IT
media, research, and exposition company.
All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks
of their respective holders.
SOURCE International Data Corporation
CO: International Data Corporation; International Data Group
ST: Massachusetts
IN: CPR MLM
SU:
02/11/99 09:58 EST prnewswire.com
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