The semiconductor sector has enjoyed rapid growth at a time when other sectors and exchange traded funds (ETFs) were shorting out. But now, calls for a slowdown are growing.
Is it time to let go? Maybe not. Dawn Kawamoto for Daily Finance reports that the chip industry should still see growth this year. But unlike last year’s 30%, revenue growth may be a far more tempered 5%.
Blame falling prices and cyclical demand that’s at a standstill. [Tech ETFs Poised to Power Up.]
As with everything else lately, global markets could help pick up the slack. Tee Linsay for The Star reports that global demand should rise on pent-up demand, since there was virtually no semiconductor spending in 2008 and 2009. [Semiconductor ETFs: Poised On The Cheap?]
Even chipmaker Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), which issued an otherwise strong earnings report last night, has noticed looming weakness and lack of momentum heading into the New Year, says The Wall Street Journal.
Semiconductor ETFs such as SPDR S&P Semiconductor (NYSEArca: XSD) andiShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor (NYSEArca: SOXX) have held their own in the last three months, gaining 30.8% and 23% respectively. If the analysts are right, that might change soon.
Tisha Guerrero contributed to this article.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.