Over the 2010-2018 timeframe, the correlation coefficient between worldwide GDP growth and IC market growth was 0.86 (0.91 excluding memory in 2017 and 2018), a strong figure given that a perfect positive correlation is 1.0.  In the three decades previous to this timeperiod, the correlation coefficient ranged from a relatively weak 0.63 in the early 2000s to a negative correlation (i.e., essentially no correlation) of -0.10 in the 1990s.

IC Insights believes that the increasing number of mergers and acquisitions, leading to fewer major IC manufacturers and suppliers, is one of major changes in the supply base that illustrates the maturing of the industry and has helped foster a closer correlation between worldwide GDP growth and IC market growth.  Another reason for a better correlation between worldwide GDP growth and IC market growth is the continued movement to a more consumer driven IC market.  IC Insights believes that 20 years ago, about 60% of the IC market was driven by business applications and 40% by consumer applications with those percentages being reversed today.  As a result, with a more consumer-oriented environment driving electronic system sales, and in turn IC market growth, the health of the worldwide economy is increasingly important in gauging IC market trends.

Report Details:  The 2019 McClean Report
Additional information on IC Insights’ IC market forecasts through 2023 is included in the 2019 edition of The McClean Report—A Complete Analysis and Forecast of the Integrated Circuit Industry, which will be released in January 2019. A subscription to The McClean Report includes free monthly updates from March through November (including a 200+ page Mid-Year Update), and free access to subscriber-only webinars throughout the year.  An individual user license to the 2019 edition of The McClean Report is priced at $4,990 and includes an Internet access password.  A multi-user worldwide corporate license is available for $7,990.As part of your 2019 subscription, you are entitled to free attendance at a McClean Report half-day seminar (one seat for each copy purchased; company-wide licensees receive five free seats).  The remaining schedule for this year’s McClean Report seminar tour is shown below.

Thursday, January 24, 2019 — Sunnyvale, California
(Space is limited, please call for availability)Tuesday, January 29, 2019 — Boston, Massachusetts
(Space is limited, please call for availability)