Telecom Lead America: Global Semiconductor revenues are
estimated to grow 4.6 percent in 2012 to reach at $315 billion, mainly driven
by strong demand for semiconductors in applications such as smartphones, media
tablets, and automotive electronics, according to IDC.
Despite the ongoing global macroeconomic uncertainties,
global semiconductor revenues will grow 6.2 percent to $335 billion in 2013 and
grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8 percent from 2011-2016,
reaching $380 billion in 2016.
IDC expects that the launch of Microsoft’s Windows 8
operating system and next-generation smartphones later this year will
accelerate semiconductor revenue growth in 2013 and beyond.
“Supply constraints on semiconductor products, such
as smartphone applications processors and PC discrete graphics processors,
based on the most advanced process technologies are easing as foundries are
bringing more capacity online. Also, the semiconductor industry has recovered
from the flooding in Thailand that held back the supply of hard drives and
PCs,” said Mali Venkatesan, research manager for Semiconductors at IDC.
IDC anticipates that near term growth will be slower than
that of past semiconductor cycles due to macroeconomic weakness.
Region-wise, Europe will continue to be weak across the
board, while the U.S consumer and automotive markets will show strong
semiconductor demand.
Asia/Pacific will continue to grow its share of
semiconductor revenues, with year-over-year growth of 7 percent in 2012 and a
five-year CAGR of 6.4 percent.
Semiconductor revenues for the Computing industry segment
will grow at CAGR of 3.7 percent for the 2011-2016 forecast period. Within
that, semiconductor revenues for mobile PCs will register 5.9 percent
year-over-year growth and a 2011-2016 CAGR of 9.6 percent.
Semiconductor revenues for 4G phones will experience year-over-year
growth of 579 percent in 2012 and a CAGR of 97 percent for 2011-2016.
Overall, semiconductor revenues for the Consumer
industry segment will record year-over-year growth of 4.4 percent in 2012 and a
2011-2016 CAGR of 5 percent.
