Timing of Next Upturn? A Forecast
The typical winter “seasonal slowdown” is now behind us. What can we expect as the year progresses?
How Much Further to Bottom of this Memory Cycle?
In announcing its Q2 fiscal 2019 results, Micron Technology, Inc. provided lower-than-expected revenue guidance of between $46 billion and $50 billion for the current quarter. However, what was particularly noteworthy was the company’s announcement...
Watching (Impatiently) for the Upturn
Business Conditions
Manufacturing growth remains slow globally (Chart 1) although conditions vary by country and region (Chart 2).
Critical Subsystems in the Sub Fab
The value of critical subsystems sold for use in the sub fab is outgrowing the overall market for critical subsystems. Driven by the increased complexity of leading edge fabs and the growing vacuum intensity of semiconductor manufacturing, both the...
A Ride on the Business Cycle
Global Growth Slows in Fourth Quarter
World electronic industry growth moderated (or contracted) in many sectors in late 2018. Compare Chart 1 (3Q’18 vs.3Q’17) to Chart 2 (4Q’18 vs.4Q’17). The length and color of the bars tell the story. The...
Record Revenues for Critical Subsystems Suppliers in 2018 Despite Collapse in Orders
Critical subsystems for the IC equipment market continued to grow to a new record of $11 billion in 2018. While 2019 is expected to be a downturn year, the long-term outlook remains unchanged with an average growth rate of 3 percent.
Despite Uncertainty, Long-Term Semiconductor Market Outlook Remains Bright
This year, SEMI ISS covered it all – from a high-level semiconductor market and global geopolitical overview down to the neuro morphic and quantum level. Here are key takeaways from the Day 1 keynote and Economic Trends and Market Perspectives...
China Wafer Production Capacity Growth Fastest in World
Region’s Fab Capacity Expansion Picks up Pace
Unwavering in its drive to build a strong, self-sufficient semiconductor supply chain, China plans more new fab projects than any other region in the world from 2017 to 2020, and its expansion of fab...
Critical Subsystems Orders Fall Off a Cliff
Orders for critical subsystems evaporated in the second half of 2018 after a very strong start to the year. Subsystems suppliers have been left with depleted order books after OEMs accumulated large inventories as the market for wafer fab equipment...