Although low single-digit growth is forecast for the total semiconductor market this year, there are several companies expected to register results that are quite different, IC Insights have observed.
Qualcomm, spurred by a smartphone market that is forecast to jump 73% this year, is expected to log a strong 33% increase in semiconductor sales in 2011, IC Insights said. However, at the other end of the spectrum is Elpida Memory, which is forecast to register a sales decline of 39% (a decline that is likely to be close to 50% when expressed in yen), IC Insights indicated.
In total, the top 20 semiconductor suppliers are forecast to display a 6% increase in 2011 sales as compared to 2010, according to IC Insights. This growth rate is four points greater than the 2% increase forecast for the total semiconductor market.
Intel is expected to remain firmly in control of the number one spot in the ranking this year, IC Insights said. In fact, Intel, helped by its acquisition of Infineon's wireless IC business, is forecast to extend its lead over second-ranked Samsung Electronics by registering a 47% higher semiconductor sales level than Samsung in 2011 as compared to a 24% margin in 2010.
Healthy growth in its graphics and communications processor business is forecast to help Nvidia jump five positions and move the company to 18th place in the top 20 ranking, IC Insights noted. In contrast, Elpida is expected to fall six spots in the ranking this year (from 13th to 19th) as the collapse in the DRAM market is having a pronounced negative effect on the company, IC Insights said.
Unlike 2010, memory companies are unlikely to secure the top growth rate positions in the ranking in 2011, IC Insights suggested. The top seven 2011/2010 semiconductor sales growth rate increases are forecast to be logged by non-memory suppliers.
Of the big five memory suppliers in the top 20 ranking (Samsung, Toshiba, Hynix, Micron and Elpida), only Samsung and Toshiba are expected to register 2011/2010 growth, according to IC Insights. In total, 11 of the top 20 suppliers are forecast to outperform the total worldwide semiconductor industry 2011/2010 growth rate of 2% (including Infineon's 30% sales growth from continuing operations).