IDC, chip, market, semiconductor IDC see "modest" chip market growth

LONDON – The global chip market be worth $303 billion in 2011, up 7.4 percent from $282 billion in 2010 and will grow 5 percent in 2012 to reach $318 billion, according to market researcher International Data Corp. (IDC). The compound annual growth rate for the 2010 to 2015 period is 6 percent.

Mali Venkatesan, research manager, Semiconductors at IDC said the future is marked by mixed pressures; of macroeconomic problems in most territories meeting continued strong demand for consumer electronics equipment such as tablet computers and smartphones.

Overall, the computing segment, which represents about 40 percent of all semiconductor revenues, will show year-over-year (2012) and CAGR (2010-2015) growth rates of 4 and 5 percent, respectively. The communications segment is lifted by the smartphone and has better prospects, according to IDC, with both the year-over-year (2012) and CAGR (2010-2015) showing growth rates of 7 percent.

The consumer segment sees a mixed market with declines in traditional consumer equipment such as DVD players and increases in tablets and e-readers. The 2012 year-on-year and 2010-15 CAGR growth rates are both 5 percent, according to IDC.

The automotive segment and industrial segment, which includes energy, medical, industrial automation, military and aero, together represent about 16 percent of semi revenues. These segments are forecast to log 5 percent and 8 percent growth rates respectively for year-over-year in 2011.

Asia/Pacific continues to grow its share of semiconductor revenues, reaching 43 percent in 2015.

IDC, chip, market, semiconductor IDC see "modest" chip market growth