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: tech101 who wrote (73)	2/5/1999 3:31:00 PM
From: tech101	Respond to of 1056

Chip sales were better in Q4 than expected, says SIA By J. Robert Lineback SAN JOSE--World semiconductor sales were stronger than expected at end of 1998, according to new market data released today by the Semiconductor Industry Association. The SIA said chip sales rallied in the fourth quarter to surpass expectations with a 10.5% increase over third-quarter revenues. The San Jose-based trade group said December sales data provide additional evidence that the strong rebound continues from the depth of the 1998 recession last summer. SIA officials were particularly pleased to see growth returning to the Asian-Pacific region at the end of 1998. "This stabilization bodes well for favorable sales in 1999," declared George Scalise, president of the SIA. Using a three-month moving average, the U.S. trade group said chip sales in December reached $11.31 billion, bringing the 1998 total to $125.61 billion. In November, the SIA had predicted that 1998 semiconductor revenues would total $122.3 billion, a decline of 10.9% from $137.2 billion. The new figures now show the chip markets fell by 8.3% in 1998. "December is the first month in 1998 when two of the world markets showed growth on a year-over-year basis," Scalise said. "Asia-Pacific's sales in December are up 2.4% from December 1997, when the financial crisis had not yet taken effect." The Asian-Pacific region's chip sales were $2.645 billion in December 1998 compared to $2.584 billion in December 1997. In addition to the Asian-Pacific region showing a gain over the previous year, Europe has an increase of 5% to $2.697 billion vs. $2.568 billion in December 1997, according to the SIA's monthly sales report. Chip sales in the Americas fell 4% to $3.653 billion in December compared to $3.803 billion in the prior year. Japan's semiconductor revenues dropped 8.3% to $2.317 billion vs. $2.528 billion, said the SIA. Worldwide, December's $11.312 billion in chip sales represented a 1.5% decline from $12.114 billion in the same month during 1997. Semiconductor sales in December slipped 0.7% from $11.396 billion recorded in November. The SIA said supply and demand moved closer into balance in the fourth quarter because of cutback in semiconductor capital spending. Investments in new wafer fabrication capacity plunged in 1998 as the industry struggled with a glut of chip supplies. The SIA also said chip demand improved in the final three months of 1998 with a recovery in Asian-Pacific markets and continued growth in PC shipments due to lower system prices. semibiznews.com