Q2 2010 DTAM trend figures show significant overall growth

Announcing the consolidated figures for Q2 '10 IDEA's vice president Adam Fletcher said that the electronic components markets in Europe are continuing to grow faster than the historical trend and faster than forecasts issued by IDEA and other bodies, but are likely to stabilise in the second half of the year. However, Fletcher is concerned by apparent unusual customer ordering patterns which are skewing the bookings figures. "Bookings in the European semiconductor and passive components sectors are running at almost double that of the electro-mechanical and other products sectors", Fletcher said. "When I see semiconductor bookings increasing by 96% but billings only increasing by 57% alarm bells start to ring." Fletcher sees no lessening in his members' concerns about extended manufacturing lead times. He explained: "Like those in Europe, the Asian electronic components markets failed to slow as expected in Q2 and are now ramping up to service the peak demand of manufacturers producing consumer goods for the Christmas and new year markets," Fletcher said. "Despite a forecast slowing of European electronic components markets in Q3 and Q4 product availability in Europe in the second half of the year is likely to be a roller coaster ride for all." Total European distribution bookings (Net sales orders entered) in Q2 '10 increased by 5.8% when compared to the previous quarter and by 78.1% when compared to the same period last year. Sector specific bookings changes in Q2 '10 compared to the same period '09 were as follows: • Semiconductors increased by 96.9% • Passives increased by 61.9% and • Electro-mechs and Other Components increased by 36%. Total European distribution billings (Net sales invoiced less credits) in Q2 '10 improved by 5.9%, when compared to the previous quarter and by 47.6% compared to the same period in the previous year. Sector specific billings changes in Q2 '10 compared to the same period '09 were as follows: • Semiconductors increased by 57.4% • Passives increased by 38.1% • Electro-mechs and Other Components increased by 25.1%. At 1.16:1 the Q2 '10 book-to-bill ratio showed a slight decline from the previous quarter's 1.18:1.