Although the semiconductor chip and capital equipment markets performed well in the first half of 2020, many of the electronic equipment end markets struggled globally. World electronic equipment sales declined almost 10% in 2Q’20 vs. 2Q’19 (Chart...

Things are picking up.

The World Bank just released its updated Global Outlook for 2020 and 2021. The text is long but very worth reading. 

Data through December showed a steady recovery in the global electronic supply chain with SEMI equipment leading the way in 3/12 growth (Chart 1). The global purchasing managers index moved into expansion territory (PMI>50) in January indicating...

World Manufacturing Growth Flat to Start 2020 (Chart 1) 

The December Global Purchasing Managers Index was in zero growth territory (PMI = 50). However, the various country components varied significantly. With IHS Markit PMI data as a gauge of...

The November Global Purchasing Managers Index moved back into expansion territory (Chart 1). Admittedly results varied significantly by country but world global manufacturing activity resumed growth at year end.

Reports of 2Q’19 financials from all of the major OEMs in our 213 company global sample show that their electronic equipment sales declined 1.4 percent compared to the same quarter of last year (Chart 1). This OEM group’s combined sales growth...

IMF Revises Global Growth Estimates

The typical winter “seasonal slowdown” is now behind us. What can we expect as the year progresses? 

Business Conditions

Manufacturing growth remains slow globally (Chart 1) although conditions vary by country and region (Chart 2).