NEW YORK – Research firm Gartner Group today sharply lowered its global semiconductor revenue outlook, saying the market would fall 16.3% in 2009 to $219.2 billion.

Last month, company guided for a 2.2% drop next year.

Semiconductor revenue is expected to drop 4.4% overall in 2008 on a fourth-quarter plunge of 24.4%.

If Gartner proves correct, it would be the first time the market fell in consecutive years.

Gartner forecasts a recovery in 2010 and 2011, with upticks of 14.6% and 9.4% respectively.