WSTS has released its new semiconductor market forecast generated in November 2016. The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics expects the world semiconductor market to be stable in 2016 at US$335 billion with growth returning in 2017 and 2018. For 2016, growth in Discretes (4.2%), Sensors (22.6%), Analog (4.8%) and Microprocessors is expected to be offset by declines in Optoelectronics (-3.6%), Memory (-3.8%) and Logic (-2.7%). By geography, for 2016, declines are expected in Americas and Europe with slight gains in Japan and Asia-Pacific. For 2017 and 2018, all major product categories and all regions are forecasted to grow reaching US$354 billion in 2018. As a result, the worldwide semiconductor market is forecasted to be up about 3% year in 2017 and about 2% in 2018. By region, a positive growth rate is projected for all regions in 2017 and 2018. The Americas and Asia Pacific regions are expected to show the highest growth rate.
