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Non-Tech : Kirk's Market Thoughts -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Return to Sender who wrote (9223)	4/15/2020 11:52:06 PM
From: Sun Tzu	2 Recommendations Recommended By Return to Sender The Ox Respond to of 26518

Thank you. It is very nice and thoughtful of you to say so...the whole thing just angers me to no end...it will be years before I can think of this in any normal way. He was the very personification of a good hard working man. No big agendas. No pushing people to see things his way. Just help whenever you can and live and let live. And he never got to see his son grow...the son just got accepted to college.

To: Return to Sender who wrote (9223)

5/22/2020 3:53:18 PM

From: Kirk ©

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MILPITAS, Calif. — May 21, 2020 — North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $2.26 billion in billings worldwide in April 2020 (three-month average basis), according to the April Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) Billings Report published today by SEMI. The billings figure is 2.2 percent higher than the final March 2020 level of $2.21 billion, and is 17.2 percent higher than the April 2019 billings level of $1.93 billion.

"April billings of North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers reflect healthy equipment demand,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO. “The industry is performing well under extraordinary conditions, though uncertainty persists due to COVID-19 concerns and rising geopolitical tensions.”

The SEMI Billings report uses three-month moving averages of worldwide billings for North American-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers. Billings figures are in millions of U.S. dollars.

	Billings (3-mo. avg.)	Year-Over-Year
November 2019	$2,121.0	9.1%
December 2019	$2,491.7	17.8%
January 2020	$2,340.2	22.7%
February 2020	$2,374.6	26.6%
March (final)	$2,213.1	20.1%
April (prelim)	$2,261.9	17.2%

Source: SEMI ( www.semi.org), May 2020

SEMI publishes a monthly North American Billings report and issues the Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) report in collaboration with the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ). The WWSEMS report currently reports billings by 24 equipment segments and by seven end market regions. SEMI also has a long history of tracking semiconductor industry fab investments in detail on a company-by-company and fab-by-fab basis in its World Fab Forecast and SEMI FabView databases. These powerful tools provide access to spending forecasts, capacity ramp, technology transitions, and other information for over 1,000 fabs worldwide. For an overview of available SEMI market data, please visit www.semi.org/en/MarketInfo.

The data contained in this release were compiled by David Powell, Inc., an independent financial services firm, without audit, from data submitted directly by the participants. SEMI and David Powell, Inc. assume no responsibility for the accuracy of the underlying data.

About SEMI

SEMI® connects more than 2,100 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics design and manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. Electronic System Design Alliance (ESD Alliance), FlexTech, the Fab Owners Alliance (FOA) and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) are SEMI Strategic Association Partners, defined communities within SEMI focused on specific technologies. Visit www.semi.org to learn more, contact one of our worldwide offices, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Association Contact

Michael Hall/SEMI
Phone: 1.408.943.7988
Email: mhall@semi.org

Notes

Next SEMI Billings report is June 18, 2020 at 3:00pm Pacific.

For information on SEAJ Billings Express Report, visit www.seaj.or.jp.

To: Return to Sender who wrote (9223)

7/24/2020 12:59:33 PM

From: Kirk ©

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NORTH AMERICAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY POSTS JUNE 2020 BILLINGS

MILPITAS, Calif. — July 23, 2020 — North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $2.32 billion in billings worldwide in June 2020 (three-month average basis), according to the June Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) Billings Report published today by SEMI . The billings figure is 1.1 percent lower than the final May 2020 level of $2.34 billion, and is 14.4 percent higher than the June 2019 billings level of $2.03 billion.

“June billings of North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers continue to show signs of resilience as the world copes with new realities posed by COVID-19,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO. “The year-over-year billings increase points to strong fundamentals that are enabling the semiconductor industry to effectively navigate these challenging times.”

The SEMI Billings report uses three-month moving averages of worldwide billings for North American-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers. Billings figures are in millions of U.S. dollars.

	Billings (3-mo. avg.)	Year-Over-Year
January 2020	$2,340.2	22.7%
February 2020	$2,374.6	26.6%
March 2020	$2,213.1	20.1%
April 2020	$2,281.3	18.2%
May 2020 (final)	$2,343.3	12.9%
June 2020 (prelim)	$2,317.7	14.4%

Source: SEMI ( www.semi.org ), July 2020

SEMI publishes a monthly North American Billings report and issues the Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) report in collaboration with the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ). The WWSEMS report currently reports billings by 24 equipment segments and by seven end market regions. SEMI also has a long history of tracking semiconductor industry fab investments in detail on a company-by-company and fab-by-fab basis in its World Fab Forecast and SEMI FabView databases . These powerful tools provide access to spending forecasts, capacity ramp, technology transitions, and other information for over 1,000 fabs worldwide. For an overview of available SEMI market data, please visit www.semi.org/en/MarketInfo .

The data contained in this release were compiled by David Powell, Inc., an independent financial services firm, without audit, from data submitted directly by the participants. SEMI and David Powell, Inc. assume no responsibility for the accuracy of the underlying data.

About SEMI

SEMI® connects more than 2,400 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics design and manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. Electronic System Design Alliance (ESD Alliance), FlexTech, the Fab Owners Alliance (FOA) and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) are SEMI Strategic Association Partners, defined communities within SEMI focused on specific technologies. Visit www.semi.org to learn more, contact one of our worldwide offices, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Association Contact

Michael Hall/SEMI
Phone: 1.408.943.7988
Email: mhall@semi.org

Notes

Next SEMI Billings report is August 20, 2020 at 3:00pm Pacific.

To: Return to Sender who wrote (9223)

9/21/2020 10:05:50 AM

From: Kirk ©

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Accelerating growth!

MILPITAS, Calif. — September 17, 2020 — North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $2.65 billion in billings worldwide in August 2020 (three-month average basis), according to the August Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) Billings Report published today by SEMI. The billings figure is 3.0 percent higher than the final July 2020 level of $2.57 billion, and is 32.5 percent higher than the August 2019 billings level of $2.00 billion.

“August billings of North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers demonstrate solid performance and strong year-over-year growth,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO. “Semiconductor equipment demand remains robust despite supply chain uncertainties and new regulatory constraints.”

The SEMI Billings report uses three-month moving averages of worldwide billings for North American-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers. Billings figures are in millions of U.S. dollars.

	Billings (3-mo. avg.)	Year-Over-Year
March 2020	$2,213.1	21.2%
April 2020	$2,281.3	18.7%
May 2020	$2,343.3	13.5%
June 2020	$2,317.7	14.4%
July 2020 (final)	$2,575.3	26.7%
August 2020 (prelim)	$2,653.3	32.5%

Source: SEMI ( www.semi.org), September 2020

SEMI publishes a monthly North American Billings report and issues the Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) report in collaboration with the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ). The WWSEMS report currently reports billings by 24 equipment segments and by seven end market regions. SEMI also has a long history of tracking semiconductor industry fab investments in detail on a company-by-company and fab-by-fab basis in its World Fab Forecast and SEMI FabView databases. These powerful tools provide access to spending forecasts, capacity ramp, technology transitions, and other information for over 1,000 fabs worldwide. For an overview of available SEMI market data, please visit www.semi.org/en/MarketInfo.

The data contained in this release were compiled by David Powell, Inc., an independent financial services firm, without audit, from data submitted directly by the participants. SEMI and David Powell, Inc. assume no responsibility for the accuracy of the underlying data.

About SEMI

SEMI® connects more than 2,400 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics design and manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. Electronic System Design Alliance (ESD Alliance), FlexTech, the Fab Owners Alliance (FOA) and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) are SEMI Strategic Technology Communities, defined communities within SEMI focused on specific technologies. Visit www.semi.org to learn more, contact one of our worldwide offices, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Association Contact

Michael Hall/SEMI
Phone: 1.408.943.7988
Email: mhall@semi.org

Notes

Next SEMI Billings report is October 22, 2020 at 3:00pm Pacific.

For information on SEAJ Billings Express Report, visit www.seaj.or.jp.

To: Return to Sender who wrote (9223)	12/16/2020 9:51:43 AM
From: Kirk ©	2 Recommendations Recommended By Return to Sender Winfastorlose Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 26518

BITS + CHIPS No cutback in customer orders, says TSMC chairman Monica Chen, Taipei; Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES Wednesday 16 December 2020 TSMC chairman Mark Liu has dismissed recent speculation that claimed a cutback in 5nm chip orders from Apple would drag down the foundry's 5nm process capacity utilization to 80% in the first half of 2021. TSMC is poised to enjoy a particularly strong first half of next year, said Liu, adding that the foundry has not been notified by any client about a cutback in orders. TSMC has utilized 100% of its 5nm process capacity, and expects 5nm chip sales to drive its revenue growth in 2021. In addition, Liu commented that the semiconductor industry is dealing with unprecedented changes amid the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions. Keeping inventory at appropriate levels is being determined in a new way under the current circumstances, and new ways are needed for assessing supply-chain issues such as overbooking and double-ordering, Liu said. TSMC and the supply chain in which it is engaged have managed to deal with all unfavorable macro factors thus far this year, according to Liu. TSMC will see its sales outperform seasonal patterns until at least the first half of next year, said Liu. In response to recent media reports claiming TSMC has canceled discounts on 12-inch wafer fabrication processes for next year, Liu said TSMC has its own pricing strategy that helps the foundry maintain both good relationships with its clients and sustainable profits. digitimes.com

To: Return to Sender who wrote (9223)	2/26/2021 4:53:37 PM
From: Kirk ©	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 26518

Does this mean we'll have to find new names for "trade regulations" just like we're not allowed to call people here in California "illegal aliens" when they break the law? Does "won’t enforce the rule aggressively" mean the government is back to the highest bidder or those who do the most climate change or hire the most "woke" workers? What does it mean? U.S. to Impose Sweeping Rule Aimed at China Technology Threats Biden administration plans to let the Trump-era rule on technology purchases and deals take effect, despite U.S. business objections about its scope WASHINGTON—The Biden administration plans to allow a sweeping Trump-era rule aimed at combating Chinese technology threats to take effect next month, over objections from U.S. businesses, according to people familiar with the matter. The rule, initially proposed in November, enables the Commerce Department to ban technology-related business transactions that it determines pose a national-security threat, part of an effort to secure U.S. supply chains. Companies in technology, telecommunications, finance and other industries say the rule could stifle innovation and hurt competitiveness, and had expected it to be delayed as the administration undertakes a broad review of U.S. policy on Chinese technology. Now the administration is planning to go forward with the rule, the people said. Administration officials are concerned that blocking or diluting the rule would send the wrong message about the new administration’s approach to China, potentially fueling criticism that it is taking a weaker approach, according to the people. One person familiar with the matter said administration officials have signaled to the business community that they won’t enforce the rule aggressively. That could soften the impact, although business representatives say the rule will still subject firms—especially smaller ones—to significant new compliance costs and uncertainty. Another person familiar with the matter said the administration hasn’t said it would hold back in enforcing the rule. The rule is “unworkable for U.S. businesses in its current form and should not be considered for final publication without significant revisions,” said The Business Roundtable, a group of CEOs of major companies, in a comment filed with the Commerce Department in January. A Commerce Department spokesperson said the agency continues to accept public comment on the rule through March 22, adding that the rule becomes final then. “Trustworthy information and communications technology and services are essential to our national and economic security and remain a top priority for the Biden/Harris administration,” the spokesperson said. The White House didn’t respond to requests for comment. The rule could affect millions of American businesses, according to a Commerce Department estimate, potentially requiring them to get government clearance for purchases and deals involving sophisticated technology with what the regulation calls a “foreign adversary,” or face potential unwinding of the deals or other enforcement. The rule’s fate is being closely watched as a bellwether of the Biden administration’s policy direction on China. Washington has seen a solidifying consensus about the security and economic risks posed by Chinese tech equipment manufacturers and internet platforms. Republicans in Congress have grilled Biden cabinet nominees about taking a tough line on China. Allowing the rule to go ahead could signal further trouble for U.S. businesses, which find themselves increasingly caught in the middle of Washington’s effort to confront China over its economic policies and Beijing’s retaliation for the U.S. moves. ... Dozens of business groups, including several leading tech groups, have filed comments urging the administration to scale back or postpone the rule. “We view the proposed rule as vague and highly problematic because as written, it would provide the department with nearly unlimited authority to intervene in virtually any commercial transaction between U.S. companies and their foreign counterparts that involves technology, with little to no due process, accountability, transparency, or coordination with other government programs that are also designed to protect national security,” one group of more than 30 business associations wrote in a letter in mid-January, just before President Biden took office. That group included major tech and foreign-trade associations as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, retailers, restaurants and electric utilities. The new government oversight would apply to technology transactions involving critical U.S. infrastructure, networks and satellite operations, large data hosting operations, widely used internet connectivity software, and technology used in advanced computing, drones, autonomous systems or advanced robotics, according to the draft rule. It could impact sales or, in some circumstances, use of a technology. The telecommunications and financial-services industries are viewed as particularly affected by the rule because they are heavy users of information-technology services and handle sensitive consumer data, but many other consumer-facing businesses also have a lot at stake. As many as 4.5 million firms of all sizes could be impacted by the rule, and total compliance costs could reach as much as $52 billion in the first year after implementation, the Commerce Department estimated recently, with annualized costs of as much as $20 billion. More at https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-to-impose-sweeping-rule-aimed-at-china-technology-threats-11614362435?source=content_type%3Areact%7Cfirst_level_url%3Anews%7Csection%3Amain_content%7Cbutton%3Abody_link

To: Return to Sender who wrote (9223)	3/4/2021 11:46:05 AM
From: Kirk ©	1 Recommendation Recommended By Return to Sender Respond to of 26518

More good news for foundries. Revenue per Wafer Climbs As Demand Surges for 5nm/7nm IC Processes Despite high development costs, smaller nodes bring greater revenue per wafer. March 04, 2021: The success and proliferation of integrated circuits has largely hinged on the ability of IC manufacturers to continue offering more performance and functionality for the money. Driving down the cost of ICs (on a per-function or per-performance basis) is inescapably tied to a growing arsenal of technologies and wafer-fab manufacturing disciplines as mainstream CMOS processes reach their theoretical, practical, and economic limits. Data presented in IC Insights’ 2021 edition of The McClean Report (released in January 2021), notes that many fabless IC companies are clamoring to have their leading-edge devices, including high-performance microprocessors, low-power application processors, and other advanced logic devices, fabricated using 7nm and 5nm process nodes. Some of the current iterations from logic and foundry suppliers are shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 In the foundry world, particularly, manufacturing with leading-edge processes carries a distinct advantage. In 2020, TSMC was the only pure-play foundry manufacturing ICs using both 7nm and 5nm process nodes. Not coincidentally, its overall revenue per wafer increased significantly in 2020 as many of the top fabless IC suppliers—16 fabless IC companies with more than $1.0 billion in 2020 revenue—lined up to have their newest designs manufactured using these most advanced processes. Three of the four pure-play foundries enjoyed higher revenue-per-wafer in 2020 (GlobalFoundries’ revenue per wafer slipped 1% last year). TSMC’s figure of $1,634 exceeded GlobalFoundries by 66% and was more than double the revenue per wafer value at UMC and SMIC. With estimated capital expenditures of $27.5 billion in 2021, TSMC will expand its available capacity at these nodes and also begin risk production of 3nm ICs this year with 3nm volume production slated to start in 2022. Figure 2 Besides foundry and logic IC manufacturing, memory suppliers like Samsung, Micron, SK Hynix, and Kioxia/WD are using advanced processes to make their DRAM and flash memory components. No matter the device type, the IC industry has evolved to the point where only a very small group of companies can develop leading-edge process technologies and fabricate leading edge ICs. Growing design and manufacturing challenges and costs have divided the integrated circuit world into the haves and have-nots. Marketshare makeup in various IC product segments has become “top heavy,” with increasing shares held by the top producers, leaving very little room for remaining competitors. Report Details: The 2021 McClean Report The 2021 edition of The McClean Report—A Complete Analysis and Forecast of the Integrated Circuit Industry was released in January 2021. A subscription to The McClean Report includes free monthly updates from March through November (including a 180+ page Mid-Year Update), and free access to subscriber-only pre-recorded webcasts through November. An individual user license to the 2021 edition of The McClean Report is available for $5,390 and a multi-user worldwide corporate license is available for $8,590. The Internet access password and the information accessible to download will be available through November 2021. icinsights.com More Information Contact For more information regarding this Research Bulletin, please contact Bill McClean, President at IC Insights. Phone: +1-480-348-1133 email: bill@icinsights.com PDF Version of This Bulletin A PDF version of this Research Bulletin can be downloaded from our website at icinsights.com