Demand in five of six sectors to slow in 2008
Five of the six major segments of the global electronic equipment business – computers, industrial equipment, automotive gear and wired and wireless communications – are expected to show lower growth in 2008 than they did in 2007, according to iSuppli.
Gary Grandbois, principal analyst with iSuppli, noted: “The global electronic equipment market has posted five strong years of growth in a row. But weakness in some application markets, coupled with a slowing trend in global economic conditions – led by a US slump – dim the prospects for strong equipment growth in 2008.”
The slowdown will hold growth in worldwide oem revenues to 5.9%, compared with 7% in 2007. iSuppli previously expected revenues to grow by 6.6% in 2008.
The market watcher believes this will have a negative impact on semiconductor sales, which now are expected to rise by only 4% to reach $279.6billion in 2008. iSuppli’s most recent semiconductor forecast predicted 7.5% revenue growth for 2008.
