Online information source for semiconductor professionals

Monthly sales figures from TSMC for December, 2011 indicated revenue fell 13.2% from the prior month to NT$30.57 billion. Full-year sales for 2011 totalled NT$418.25 billion, an increase of 2.8% compared to 2010.

Read more >>

The strong spurt in spending at semiconductor foundries so early in the year means that Deutsche Bank has revised its CapEx spending forecast for the industry. Instead of an expected CapEx decline in the range of 15-20% in 2012, compared to 2011, financial analysts at the bank believe spending will only be down between 10-15% versus its prior expectations. Read more >>

According to market research firm, IHS iSuppli the overall semiconductor industry days of inventory declined slightly in the third quarter of 2011, while DRAM stockpiles increased significantly. As calculated by the days of inventory (DOI) measure, overall semiconductor stockpiles in the third quarter stood at 81 days, down 2.5% from 83 days in the second quarter but DRAM stockpiles stood at 12.8 weeks, a 31% increase from 9.8 weeks in the second quarter of 2011. The figure is also significantly higher than the long-term quarterly average of 9.2 weeks. Read more >>

Wacker Chemie subsidiary Siltronic has announced plans to cease wafer production at its Hikari, Japan facility in an effort to streamline its 200mm wafer production capacities. The facility will be shut down in mid-2012, and production volumes will be transferred to its 200mm wafer plants in Singapore and Portland, Oregon, US. Read more >>

Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s 300mm automated fab, S2, has been ramped to volume production only five months after production of the first wafer. The fab has now reached the target capacity of 40,000 wspm following the initiation of the cleanroom construction in August 2010. The S2 line will be tasked with production of devices using Samsung’s low-power logic process technology at the 45nm node. Read more >>

Rare to see a semiconductor forecast in this very low range, market research firm, IHS has revised 2011 figures to indicate growth of barely 1.2%, down from its previous forecast in September of 2.9%. Apparently, the lowered figure is still something the industry should take a positive considering the wider macro economics at the moment, according IHS. IHS noted that the primary market weighing down the semiconductor market is memory. DRAM, SRAM, NOR Flash memory—along with digital signal processors – are expected to generate revenue declines of 15% or more in 2011 and not much better in 2012 as all segments including NAND flash memory are projected to decline.
Read more >>

Semiconductor manufacturing recovery in Japan and the subsequent boost to overall semiconductor sales helped slightly in August, according to the latest SIA monthly figures. Worldwide sales of semiconductors were US$25.03 billion in August, up 0.7% from the prior month when sales were US$24.9 billion and basically flat since June figures were released. Read more >>

Days of inventory of semiconductors are at “worrisome levels given current conditions,” according to market research firm, Gartner. The expectation is that an inventory correction is due in late 2011. Gartner also noted that average selling prices (ASPs) were tracking below trend levels, with overcapacity in the foundry industry expected to prolong the pricing weakness. Read more >>

Excess inventory, manufacturing overcapacity and slowing demand are expected to hit semiconductor sales in 2011, according to market research firm, Gartner. Worldwide semiconductor revenue was said to have slowed and the market is set to decline by 0.1% on revenue of US$299 billion in Gartner’s revised 2011 forecast. Previously, Gartner had expected the industry to grow by 5.1% in 2011. Read more >>

The Semiconductor Equipment Assessment Leveraging Innovation (SEAL) project has had a successful first year of operation, reports Fries Research & Technology (FRT). FRT, along with Siltronic AG and the Fraunhofer-Institut für Integrierte Systeme und Bauelementetechnologie, were praised in a 12-month report carried out by the EU and the review panel.

Read more >>