Cautious Industry Outlook But . . . World SEMI Equipment Growth Resumes!
World Manufacturing Growth Flat to Start 2020 (Chart 1)
The December Global Purchasing Managers Index was in zero growth territory (PMI = 50). However, the various country components varied significantly. With IHS Markit PMI data as a gauge of...
Tide Has Turned
The November Global Purchasing Managers Index moved back into expansion territory (Chart 1). Admittedly results varied significantly by country but world global manufacturing activity resumed growth at year end.
Critical Subsystems Suppliers’ R&D Spend Holding Up
Despite a tough year for critical subsystem suppliers, their overall expenditure on research and development has remained at near record levels – evidence that critical subsystems are indeed critical to the semiconductor manufacturing equipment...
Subdued Seasonal Upturn . . . But Better Times Ahead
3Q’19 Sales by Electronic Equipment Sector – Modest Improvement
Semiconductor Industry Upturn by Early 2020?
Reports of 2Q’19 financials from all of the major OEMs in our 213 company global sample show that their electronic equipment sales declined 1.4 percent compared to the same quarter of last year (Chart 1). This OEM group’s combined sales growth...
Size Matters … at Least in the Critical Subsystems Supply Chain
Clouds continue to persist over the semiconductor supply chain with little sign of lifting. In March, the decline in week-over-year chip sales appeared to be slowing, providing a glimmer of hope for the beginning of a new cycle. However, the...
How Much Further to Bottom of this Memory Cycle?
In announcing its Q2 fiscal 2019 results, Micron Technology, Inc. provided lower-than-expected revenue guidance of between $46 billion and $50 billion for the current quarter. However, what was particularly noteworthy was the company’s...
A Ride on the Business Cycle
Global Growth Slows in Fourth Quarter
World electronic industry growth moderated (or contracted) in many sectors in late 2018. Compare Chart 1 (3Q’18 vs.3Q’17) to Chart 2 (4Q’18 vs.4Q’17). The length and color of the bars tell the story. The...
It’s Chilly!
4Q’18 World Electronic Supply Chain – Slowing Electronic Equipment Growth
Custer Consulting Group has its first estimate of global electronic equipment growth in 4Q’18 vs. 4Q’17. Chart 1 compares the combined sales of a 213-company OEM composite...
