Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Amkor Technology Inc (AMKR) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: JZGalt who wrote (288)	7/12/1999 4:26:00 PM
From: tech101	Respond to of 1056

Monday July 12, 1:52 pm Eastern Time Company Press Release SOURCE: Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International SEMI Consensus Forecast Reflects Growing Optimism in Semiconductor Chip And Equipment Industry Recovery biz.yahoo.com Semiconductor Equipment Companies Expect Nine Percent Growth for 1999 SAN FRANCISCO, July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Semiconductor equipment companies are showing increasing optimism about prospects for business during the remainder of 1999, according to the July 1999 edition of the SEMI Capital Equipment Consensus Forecast, released today by Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) at SEMICON West 99. Survey respondents predict that the industry will grow nine percent over 1998, reaching $23.8 billion in 1999. The SEMI Consensus Forecast includes input from 85 of the trade association's member companies in the United States, Europe and Japan. Data was collected from surveys issued between May and June 1999 by the SEMI Market Statistic department. Respondents represent about 80 percent of the total sales volume for the global semiconductor equipment industry. The July edition of the bi-annual survey reveals that equipment companies are upgrading their outlook for the near- and long-term prospects for the industry. The nine percent growth predicted for 1999 is up from the November 1998 survey, which only projected a 6.7 percent improvement for the year. Industry optimism carries into predictions for 2000 and 2001, with annual increases of 18.3 and 21.8 percent respectively. By product category, the Consensus Forecast results indicate sales of wafer process equipment should rise to $15.6 billion in 1999, 9.8 percent above the $14.2 billion in sales posted in 1998. Sales of assembly and packaging equipment are expected to increase to $1.7 billion, up 13.3 percent from $1.5 billion in sales in 1998. Test equipment sales should reach $4.6 billion, up 4.2 percent from $4.4 billion in 1998. ''The results of this survey express renewed confidence among equipment manufacturers about the prospects for growth in the semiconductor industry,'' said Stanley Myers, president of SEMI. ''Our members are well-positioned to benefit from the introduction of advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology as well as from the continued expansion of new applications for semiconductors.'' The following survey results are given in terms of market size in billions of dollars and percentage of growth over the prior year: Semiconductor Capital Equipment Market by Equipment Segment (Dollars in U.S. Billions; Percentage Year-over-Year) 1997(A) 1998(A) 1999(E) Equipment Type $B $B % Chng $B % Chng Wafer Process $18.5 $14.2 -23.2% $15.6 9.8% Other Front End # 2.1 1.7 -15.5% 1.9 10.5% Assembly & Packaging 1.8 1.5 -17.2% 1.7 13.3% Test 5.2 4.4 -15.8% 4.6 4.2% Total Equipment * $27.6 $21.8 -20.9% $23.8 9.0% 2000(F) 2001(F) Equipment Type $B % Chng $B % Chng Wafer Process $18.5 18.7% $23.0 24.5% Other Front End # 2.3 18.4% 2.7 19.9% Assembly & Packaging 2.0 15.9% 2.3 16.9% Test 5.4 17.5% 6.2 14.9% Total Equipment * $28.1 18.3% $34.3 21.8% Sources: SEMI-SEAJ (actual data); SEMI Consensus Forecast, July 1999 (estimated and forecast values) # Includes mask and reticle, wafer manufacturing, factory automation and facility equipment * Totals and percentages may differ due to rounding of numbers Based in Mountain View, Calif., SEMI is an international trade association serving more than 2,300 companies participating in the $65 billion semiconductor and flat panel display equipment and materials markets. SEMI maintains offices in Austin, Beijing, Boston, Brussels, Hsinchu, Moscow, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. Visit SEMI OnLine at www.semi.org. SOURCE: Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International