SAN JOSE -- A
top predictor of the turning points in the IC industry is predicting a mild
slowdown in semiconductor sales in mid 2007.
Moshe Handelsman, founder of Advanced Forecasting, told an industry forum last
week that the industry is in for its first downturn since 2004. However, he
declined to attach hard numbers to his prediction.
Handelsman is notorious for having eschewed traditional forecast models
in his research. However, he has correctly forecast a number of markets
swings -- up and down -- over the past 18 years.
Other analysts have provided modest to upbeat forecasts for 2007.
- VLSI Research predicted 9% growth this year and 5% in 2007.
- iSuppli forecasts 3.6% growth this year and 7.9% in 2007.
- The Semiconductor Industry Association in July said the industry would grow 9.8% in 2006 and 11% in 2007.