Better days are coming for chip industry
By Staff -- Purchasing, 3/25/1999 2:00:00 AM
The worldwide semiconductor market will grow 15% to $154.5 billion, according to market researcher Dataquest, which revised an earlier forecast of 11%.
One factor that will drive chip revenue is Year-2000 concerns. Many companies are expected to buy new computer systems out of fear that their current systems are not Year-2000 compliant.
"The third quarter of 1999 should bring good semiconductor growth, helped in part by 'protective ordering' in advance of potential Year-2000 problems followed by a strong fourth quarter in 1999," says Ron Bohn, director for Dataquest's Worldwide Semiconductor Research Operations.
In addition dram pricing is firming and that should mean higher second-half memory revenue. A stronger yen/dollar exchange rate should also result in a positive boost to the industry.
Chip market grew 5.5% in 1997
02/11/1998Double-digit growth forecast for chips
06/16/1999
Now Playing: 