WSTS projects 3.8% global semiconductor growth in 2007
Projected growth in the worldwide semiconductor market will decrease from 6.8% growth in 2006. The current projections have however been revised upwards by 1.5% compared to the forecast that WSTS issued in May this year, mainly due to a very strong third quarter 2007. However, no need was seen to revise the future market development scenario significantly, so that the further years, 2008 and 2009, remained very close to the original projections with 9.1% and 6.2% growth respectively.
The current forecast anticipates a positive growth throughout the forecasting period, peaking in 2008. While the forecasted semiconductor market does not show a pronounced cyclical pattern, some product groups maintain cycles similar to historical patterns. The Asia Pacific region continues to be the fastest growing geographical area, due to the dynamics of both strongly rising domestic demand and the continuing manufacturing shift to this region.
