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 : Applied Materials No-Politics Thread (AMAT) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (7782)	10/28/2003 9:53:25 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 25522

WSTS revises three-year forecast for stronger chip market growth Peter Clarke 10/28/2003 6:46 AM EST BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization has raised its chip market predictions for the next three years, according to the European Semiconductor Industry Association. With the threat from the respiratory illness SARS retreating the organization sees double-digit percentage growth year-on-year for the worldwide maket in 2003 through 2005 in its Fall 2003 forecast. The market is now tipped to grow 14.2 percent in 2003, to reach $160.7 billion. The market growth is expected to accelerate through 2004 to 19.4 percent, taking the annual market to $191.9 billion. And in 2005, the market should grow 12.6 percent, to $216.1 billion, finally beating the previous record market of $204.4 billion scored in 2000, ESIA said. A minor fallback is foreseen for 2006 but with total worldwide sales still remaining above the $200 billion mark and the previous 2000 high point. In comparison with these 14.2, 19.4 and 12.6 percentage growth numbers now predicted for 2003, 2004 and 2005 respectively, back in June WSTS foresaw 11.5 percent growth in 2003, 18.4 percent growth in 2004 and 7.9 percent growth in 2005 (see June 3 story) As a result the 2005 market is now expected to be $216.1 billion whereas in June WSTS was predicting it would only be 200.4 billion and below the 2000 high-point. WSTS's June predictions were made towards the end of the outbreak of respiratory illness SARS in the Asia-Pacific region and amid concerns that this would hamper the general and semiconductor economies. Those fears have since receded. By geography In 2003 the Americas region is expected to more or less flat (0.8 percent) with growth being strongest in Japan at 22.5 percent, Asia-Pacific region showing 18.2 percent growth and Europe scoring 12.8 percent in dollar terms. In 2004 the Americas region is expected to bounce back with 17.4 percent growth while Asia-Pacific will lead with 22.7 percent growth, Japan grows by 19.2 percent and slow and steady Europe scores 15.1 percent growth. The euro-to-dollar currency exchange rate is significantly boosting the growth of the European market in 2003, which in euro terms has contracted by 4.7 percent, ESIA observed. The consistently high growth rates predicted for the Asia-Pacific region over the next four years means that Asia/Pac is expected to increase its share of the worldwide market from 37.6 percent in 2003 to 40.1 percent. This will be achieved at the expense of Japan, slipping from 23.2 percent to 22.7 percent; the Americas dropping from 19.6 percent to 18.6 percent; and Europe moving from 19.5 percent to 18.6 percent. The personal computing, wireless communications and digital consumer sectors are driving the current upturn. Flash memory market is set to grow 41.4 percent in 2003 and 38.0 percent in 2004 while the DRAM market is expected to grow 10.1 percent in 2003 and 29.1 percent in 2004. The market for application-specific standard ICs for wireless communications including DSPs are expected to grow 29.2 percent this year and 25.3 percent in 2004.