Bill McClean, President IC Insights, Inc, Scottsdale, AZ, USA

ABSTRACT

Figure 1 provides worldwide capital spending trends from 1995 through 2003 and a forecast for 2004 through 2008. As shown, semiconductor industry capital spending is not expected to exceed 2000's level until the peak of the next IC industry cycle in 2008! When looking at the per cent change line in Figure 1, it is evident that IC insights believes that the historically volatile trends in capital spending outlays will continue through 2008.