To: Mark Oliver who wrote (5073 ) 12/8/1998 4:09:00 PM From: Mark Oliver Read Replies (1) | Respond to
ASIA/PACIFIC PC MARKET REBOUNDS IN 4Q98, IDC PREDICTS -- PC shipments in Asia and the Pacific Region for 3Q98 declined from the same period a year ago, but the market performed better than forecast, according to preliminary data released today by International Data Corporation (IDC). PC shipments in the region, excluding Japan, declined 2.3% in 3Q98 compared to 3Q97, the lowest annual decline in 1998. Likewise, the regional PC market managed to exceed IDC's initial forecast of a 3.1 percent decline as shipments reached 2.56 million units. The stronger-than-expected results combined with strengthening currency and stock markets bodes well for the regional PC market in 4Q98 and into 1999, IDC said. Further, Intel's announcement in November that it expects fourth quarter demand for PC products "across all market segments and in all geographies" to be stronger than initially expected adds credence to the prospect of a regional PC market revival. IDC predicts PC shipments in 4Q98 are expected to increase 5% over 4Q97, which marks the first annual shipment growth since 4Q97. Regional PC shipments in 1999 are forecast to increase 16% over 1998, a considerable improvement from an expected 1% annual decline in 1998. "After one year of turmoil, the regional PC market is showing some signs of life as we look toward 1999," said Brian Kornegay, research manager at IDC Asia/Pacific. "While we are not ready to proclaim a full-fledged recovery, the worst could be behind the regional PC market as a degree of stability returns to the region." The top five market leaders in region were Compaq, IBM, Legend, Hewlett-Packard, and Acer. Legend overtook HP for the number three spot in the region after reporting a 75% growth in shipments, powered mainly by Chinese sales. IDC: www.idc.com or 508 872-8200.
