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Technology Stocks : Disk Drive Sector Discussion Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Yogi - Paul who wrote (3001)	4/26/1998 10:24:00 AM
From: Kurthend	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 9256

Irthrifty, Found this on the Asiabiztech site concerning the sales of PCs. They seem to predict a double digit increase in units sold for 98, although the revenue growth will be in single digits. Maybe the component makers in the hdd industry will be the ones that make the money this year due to units sold? Kurt nikkeibp.asiabiztech.com April 22, 1998 (BOSTON) -- Despite the Asian economic crisis, Asia/Pacific personal computer shipments will grow 23 percent in 1998, with shipments reaching 11.8 million units, according to Dataquest Inc. Revenue for the Asia/Pacific region is forecast to grow 17 percent, according to the San Jose, Calif. market research company. "The most important point to consider in Asia/Pacific is that the impact of the regional crisis varies tremendously by country," said Bruce McCabe, senior industry analyst in Dataquest's Asia/Pacific Personal Computer program. "Southeast Asia and Korea have been the hardest hit, with Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong in the moderately impacted category," he added. "On the other side of the spectrum, China and Taiwan, both substantial markets, have been only mildly affected, and Dataquest is bullish about their future growth levels." On a global basis, Dataquest said 1998 PC shipments will remain strong, although revenue will slip to single-digit growth. The penetration of sub-US$1,000 personal computers is boosting unit shipments of PCs, but revenue growth is slowing. Worldwide PC shipments are forecast to grow 15.6 percent in 1998, while PC revenue will grow 6.4 percent, according to Dataquest. PC shipments are forecast to reach 93.1 million units in 1998, while revenue is projected to approach US$166 billion this year. The United States will continue to be the top-selling region, with shipments reaching 35.2 million units, up from 30.3 million units in 1997. U.S. PC shipments will grow 16 percent in 1998, while revenue is forecast to grow 3 percent. Dataquest analysts predict price compression, which began to hit the U.S. consumer desktop sector in the second half of 1997, will have two major effects on the industry. First, lower price points will drive new buyers and create demand for additional systems. Second, price compression will cause vendor revenue to grow at a lower rate because of reduced average system prices. "The U.S. business sector will benefit from a shorter replacement cycle, further increasing PC demand in forecast years," said Scott Miller, senior industry analyst for Dataquest's Personal Computer Systems and Peripherals program. "The home market is expected to grow at a rate slightly higher than the business sector as the PC enters both the lower income household and more secondary PCs are added in the home." Western Europe will continue to be the No. 2 region in the world, with shipments reaching 21 million units in 1998, a 14 percent increase from 1997 results. Revenue in Western Europe is expected to grow 8.9 percent. Dataquest issued a five-year forecast by region for both unit shipments and revenue entitled, "Despite Tremors in Asia/Pacific, Worldwide PC Unit Growth to Remain Healthy." More information is at: dataquest.com. (Lori Valigra, Asia BizTech Correspondent)