16 Insights on ICs

Good news and bad for 2016

Rick Merritt, EETimes
1/29/2016 08:00 AM EST

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – It’s a sad sign of the times when the most bullish market researcher predicts 4% growth. Even worse when the veteran analyst further explains he has a 70% confidence growth will be in the 2-6% range, and notes a few wild cards like the gyrating China stock market and plummeting price of oil.

Like it or not, that’s the good news for semiconductors in 2016, according to Bill McClean, president of IC Insights. In his semi-annual report to Silicon Valley, McClean did sound some upbeat notes.

The low oil price is good for the U.S. economy which is driving global growth which is closely correlated to chip sales. Fluctuating exchange rates, which depressed chip sales 4% last year, are likely to be more stable this year.

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