Market research
The first two quarters saw equipment sales increase 51.6% and 51.1% over the previous year. This is expected to fall back in the second half. The market researcher believes that 2005 will be a year of technology rather than capacity purchases.
IC Insights produced foundry sales rankings for 2002 and 2003, along with a forecast for 2004. While the sales ranking order for the top three does not change over the period, China's SMIC is expected to become a clear No.4 this year. TSMC leads with a falling share 2002-2004 - 54%, 52%, 47%. UMC remains steady at No.2 - 25%, 24%, 24%. No.3 Chartered in Singapore shows a slight increase this year - 6%, 6%, 7%. SMIC - 1%, 3%, 6%.
The sales totals for the period come to $8.575bn, $11.330bn, $17.170bn. One European foundry scrapes into the top ten at No.10, X-FAB of Germany. This company is given a steady 1% ($100mn, $127mn, $200mn).
