A compilation of sales figures from 150 global semiconductor equipment companies produced by SEMI and the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ), highlight once again the dire state of capital spending from chip manufacturers in 2008.Second quarter billings were $7.83 billion, 26 percent less than the first quarter of 2008 and 29 percent less than the same quarter a year ago.
SEMI also reported that worldwide semiconductor equipment bookings reached $6.99 billion in the second quarter of 2008, 30 percent less than the same quarter a year ago, and 13 percent less than the bookings figure for the first quarter of 2008.
“Spending for new semiconductor equipment is down considerably as anticipated,” said Dan Tracy, senior director of Industry Research and Statistics at SEMI. “Overall 2008 spending will approach 2005 levels, with a recovery expected for next year.”
SEMI had recently guided that capital spending on semiconductor equipment could rise 20 percent in 2009, compared to 2008.
However, Year-on-Year comparison of billings figures, indicate that the spending decline for 2008 could be 15 percent or more. China has seen the largest decline in billings at -61 percent, while the impact on capital spending reductions, in the memory market are clearly seen with Korean billings down 20 percent Y-on-Y.