WSTS Semiconductor Market Forecast Autumn 2005

WSTS Projects 6.6 percent global semiconductor growth in 2005

Worldwide Chip Market to Grow 8 percent in 2006, 10.6 percent in 2007

The global semiconductor market is expected to grow 6.6 percent on an annualized basis to $227 billion in 2005, according to fall forecast of the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS). Projected growth in the worldwide semiconductor market will accelerate to 8.0 percent in 2006 and 10.6 percent in 2007 with Asia-Pacific being the largest and fastest growing regional market.

The WSTS 2005 projection is higher than the forecast released a year ago, and consistent with the spring 2005 forecast, which estimated a 6.3 percent growth for the year. The WSTS foresees a continuation of the growing demand for electronic products such as PCs, digital consumer and mobile communications against the backdrop of a challenging but generally healthy world economy.

The current forecast maintains a “soft landing” scenario as the industry anticipates positive growth throughout the forecasting period with high single-digit growth in 2006 followed by double-digit growth in 2007. While the forecasted semiconductor market cycle is considerably smoother than previous cycles, several geographic regions and product groups maintain cycles similar to historical patterns. Asia Pacific continues to be seen as the fastest growing region, not only because of a continuing shift in manufacturing but also due to rising domestic demand in this region.

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