VLSI Research has further downgraded its assessment of semiconductor and display equipment sales for 2008 and 2009, resulting in a decline of 24% in 2008, compared to 2007 and a further fall of 25% in 2009, resulting in almost a 50% fall over two years.The market research firm had previously guided a fall in equipment sales of -12% for 2009.
With respect to IC sales, VLSI Research is forecasting a decline of 1.7 percent for 2008, to US$214.1 billion, slightly less than SIA’s forecast of down 2.2 percent. The previous 2008 forecast for ICs was +3.6%. However, 2009 will see a further decline in sales of 6.9 percent.