SCOTTSDALE, AZ – In a remarkable turnaround, July IC sales and unit volume numbers indicate the IC industry is in the midst of a solid rebound, says IC Insights.

Data show the upturn is being experienced across many product lines, including DRAM, NAND flash memory, analog and microprocessors, as well as the overall IC industry.

Growth has been explosive in the seven-month period from January to July; this is true for both dollar and unit volume. Granted, in January, the semiconductor market was at (or nearly at) its lowest point of the current downturn, but there is no doubt from examining July data that markets have rebounded – in several cases, surpassing levels from the same time last year, according to the firm.

IC Insights believes the market for ICs is set up for strong growth continuing into 2010 and 2011. Several global and US companies have hinted about stronger bookings and/or production ramps through the balance of this year and 2010.

GDP outlooks have moved well into positive territory and, in the US, about 60% of the $750 billion economic stimulus package is expected to be spent in 2010 and 20% in 2011.

What has captured IC Insights' attention above all else is that many wafer fabs and production lines have closed since the fourth quarter of 2008, resulting in reduced industry-wide capacity as the market returns to health. Recently, IC Insights showed IC industry capacity utilization jumped to 78% in the second quarter from 57% in the first, and forecasts an increase to around 90% by the end of the year.

With significant IC unit demand on the horizon and little capital spending being allocated for new and upgraded facilities, industry-wide capacity utilization stands a good chance of being maxed out in the coming months, resulting in longer lead times, spot shortages, and escalating average selling prices throughout the industry, concludes IC Insights.

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