Gartner: Semiconductor Revenue Expected to Decline 0.6% in 2016

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Worldwide semiconductor revenue is forecast to total $333 billion in 2016, a decrease of 0.6 percent from 2015, according to Gartner, Inc. This is following a decline of 2.3 percent in 2015 due to weakened demand for key electronic equipment, elevated inventory levels and the continuing impact of the strong dollar in some regions.

"For only the second time in its history, the worldwide semiconductor market is expected to have two consecutive years of revenue decline," said James Hines, research director at Gartner. "We expect a decline of 0.6 percent in 2016 as the industry waits for the next demand driver to emerge."

Lowered estimates for production of PCs, ultramobiles and smartphones is reducing the demand for semiconductors in 2016, and no significant near-term driver has appeared to offset the reduction in demand in these key semiconductor markets. While there are emerging opportunities for semiconductors in the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable electronics, these markets are still in the early stages of development and are too small to have a significant impact on overall semiconductor revenue growth in 2016.

Additional analysis on the outlook for the semiconductor market can be found in "Gartner Webinar: 1Q16 Semiconductor Forecast Update." Gartner clients can view the full forecast in "Semiconductor Forecast Database, Worldwide, 1Q16 Update."

About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. is the world's leading information technology research and advisory company. The company delivers the technology-related insight necessary for its clients to make the right decisions, every day. From CIOs and senior IT leaders in corporations and government agencies, to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to technology investors, Gartner is the valuable partner to clients in approximately 10,000 distinct enterprises worldwide. Through the resources of Gartner Research, Gartner Executive Programs, Gartner Consulting and Gartner Events, Gartner works with every client to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual role. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, USA, and has 7,900 associates, including more than 1,700 research analysts and consultants, and clients in more than 90 countries.