30 July 2010

The latest semiconductor company rankings from IC insights for the
first-half of 2010 show that with the strong performance from memory
manufacturers and in particular segment leader Samsung, the gap between
number one ranked, Intel and number 2 ranked Samsung has shrunk rapidly.
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17 June 2010

IC Insights keeps a close watch on IC capacity trends as an indicator of
future IC ASPs and overall IC industry strength. Since 2Q07, IC
suppliers have been paring down their older capacity (i.e., ≤200mm
wafers). The decline in ≤200mm capacity picked up speed in 2009 and is
expected to continue throughout 2010 as memory manufacturers steadily
close or upgrade their 200mm fabs to produce 300mm wafers.
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11 February 2010

Guest blog by Jim Handy, Objective Analysis
Late Tuesday Micron announced that the company had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Numonyx in an all-stock transaction. Micron will issue 140 million shares of the company's common stock, worth approximately $1.27 billion, to Numonyx shareholders Intel, STMicroelectronics, and Francisco Partners. The NOR flash market has been a difficult one for nearly all
participants.
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05 February 2010

Are you uncertain about the 2010 IC industry recovery? It may help to consider these actual data points and current expectations that offer support for an increasingly positive outlook for the IC industry this year. The 10 points listed should provide the reader with some encouragement with regard to the IC industry and its suppliers in 2010. Is it clear skies and smooth sailing for the rest of the year? Not, quite. Some potential “pot holes” on the road to 2010 success include: a possible spike in oil prices to greater than US$100 barrel; a major terrorist attack that weakens consumer confidence and the economy along with it; and/or, another major shock to the financial system like a major collapse of a country’s economy.
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14 January 2010

Guest blog by Tod Higinbotham, Executive Vice President, Process Solutions, ATMI
The recent economic downturn has taught us that semiconductor technology research and development must change if the industry is to prosper. Circuit design, advanced materials, and innovative process and process flows compel our industry to rethink outdated R&D techniques as we search for a better way to realize the potential of today’s most advanced integrated circuit technology.
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