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Europe's chip makers lose out in 1Q05 ranking

Europe's three main chip makers are the big losers in market analyst IC Insight's semiconductor supplier rankings for the first quarter of 2005.
Europes three main chip makers are the big losers in market analyst IC Insights semiconductor supplier rankings for the first quarter of 2005.

Infineon (6th) and Philips (12th) each slipped down two places compared with the 2004 full year ranking while STMicroelectronics (7th) fell one position, following stagnant first quarter sales for each.

Infineon has been replaced in fourth position by Japans Toshiba, which leapt up three places from seventh, thanks to a big rise in first quarter sales to US$2.3 billion.

Philips dropped out of the Top 10, having been overtaken by both Freescale (10th) and Sony (11th). IC Insights is now forecasting that Philips will remain outside of the top 10 for the full year 2005.

"The major European semiconductor suppliers endured a very difficult 1Q05," said an IC Insights spokesman, "Together, they registered a 1Q05/4Q04 semiconductor sales decline of 10.1%.

"Even with a slightly positive boost from exchange rate conversions from euros to U.S. dollars, Infineon registered a 10.6% 1Q05/4Q04 revenue decline, ST a 10.5% drop and Philips an 8.7% fall."

The top three semiconductor manufacturers from 2004 – in order Intel, Samsung and Texas Instruments - retained their positions in the first quarter of 2005 and are set to do so for the full 2005 year.

"The top three positions are highly unlikely to change in 2005," said the spokesman. "However, the fourth to seventh positions are truly up for grabs."

In 1Q05, less than $200 million separated the fourth ranked supplier, Toshiba, from the seventh ranked company, ST.

"At the present time, forecasting the order of the semiconductor companies in the 4-7 positions, as well as the tenth spot, in the full-year 2005 ranking is just too close to call," said the spokesman.

He also pointed out that there is likely to be stiff competition for the tenth position between Freescale and Sony.

According to IC Insights, the top 10 semiconductor manufacturers will post total revenues of US$57.5 billion for the first half of 2005 – equivalent to 51% of their 2004 sales.

"Given expectations for a better semiconductor market in 2H05 as compared to 1H05, the top 10 suppliers appear very likely to register positive 2005/2004 growth," said the spokesman.
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