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‘Billion-Dollar Club’ members depleted
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The elite of the elite as far as semiconductor capital spending is concerned are in desperate need of new members, otherwise the ‘Billion-Dollar Club’ is in danger of closing its doors. According to IC Insights, only three companies, Intel, Samsung, and TSMC, are planning CapEx of over US$1.0 billion in 2009, down from eight companies in that club in 2008, and 16 companies in 2007.
Intel still sits at the head of the table with spending plans of US$4.7 billion, Samsung with US$4.5 billion and TSMC with its revised upward plans for US$2.3 billion spending in 2009. Compared to spending in 2008, Intel is spending 10% less, Samsung by as much as 33% less and TSMC is the only one increasing spending by 23%.
Capital spending as a percent of semiconductor sales will barely top 12% in 2009. Considering that it reached a record low of 16% in 2008, there is little joy for equipment suppliers.
However, the good news is that IC Insights believes this will lead to much stronger IC average selling prices (ASPs) beginning in 2010 and extending through 2012. Thus generating the profit margins required for greater capital spending.
