[lbo-talk] Chip Boom

[Dennis Redmond]

There was much talk in 2002 about how the semi biz was becoming a normal
industry, with growth rates of 5-10% instead of 15-20%. Now SIA says
global chip sales in June were up as astounding 40% year-on-year, and
capacity is still tight, meaning the boom will probably roll on for at
least another year:

http://www.siliconstrategies.com/article/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=26800032
(Note free login is required).

Interestingly, East Asian markets are driving this expansion: the
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) market was up 61 percent. The Americas and
Europe grew around 30% each, while Japan grew at a relatively restrained
26%. East Asia seems to have weaned itself from exports, i.e. is consuming
the chips it's producing.

-- DRR