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Figure 2

Overall, the IC market can be segmented into 38 major product categories.  Although IC Insights forecasts that the 2005 worldwide IC market will grow 4 percent, not one of the 38 major product segments it tracks are forecast to grow exactly 4 percent in 2005!   In fact, 8 product categories are forecast to register double-digit market increases in 2005 while 9 segments are forecast to log double-digit declines.

The sum of the 12 “Not so Hot” IC product markets are forecast to decline 12 percent in 2005, equating to just over a $7 billion drop.  In contrast, the total of the 12 “Hot” IC product segments is forecast to more than offset the shortfall of the “Not so Hot” products.  As shown, a $14 billion increase is forecast for the sum of the “Hot” IC product markets, which equates to a strong 19 percent annual growth rate!   

In summary, the worldwide IC market as a whole is forecast to show only moderate growth in 2005.  However, there are “Hot” segments of the market, as well as “Not so Hot” segments, which will serve to separate the winners from the losers in the 2005 IC industry.