BANNOCKBURN, IL – Worldwide electronics industry growth is slowing, in line with general economic sluggishness, a new IPC report found.

China continues to lead the major industrial countries, with 9.5% growth in gross domestic product in the second quarter, down slightly sequentially. US economic growth in the second quarter was an annualized 1.3%, and the euro zone's growth was 0.2%, says IPC.

The ending of stimulus programs combined with the debt crisis in Europe and the continuation of high unemployment in the US are putting the brakes on economic recovery, the firm adds. Most leading economic indicators show a continuation of this trend through the remainder of 2011.

In the electronics supply chain the numbers look better, but growth is slowing. The second quarter showed solid year-over-year sales growth in the assembly equipment, EMS and laminate industries, and modest growth in process consumables. Solder and semiconductor sales worldwide were slightly below 2010 figures.

IPC has integrated data trends of all key segments of the electronic interconnect industry with leading indicators to create an index of North American Performance. The index for second quarter 2011 fell to a moderate 4.3, indicating that growth rates have returned to more normal levels.

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