The semiconductor industry is facing an uncertain outlook regarding its economic growth over the next year, according to industry analysts.
Researcher at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research Liu Pei-chen (劉佩真) said on Thursday that a modest recovery is possible next year, but double-digit growth is only likely to return in 2025 at the earliest. She says the fourth quarter is still chaotic and the demand for less advanced chips has not improved.
According to the latest forecast from market research firm TrendForce, the fourth quarter may see the utilization of 8-inch wafer foundries fall below 60%. This is due to unresolved issues in the global economy and lower than usual demand during the peak consumer electronics season.
Liu says that economic forecasts for next year do not look promising. Shipments of products such as PCs, smartphones, and servers will likely see only single-digit growth. She says TSMC is scheduled to hold its quarterly earnings conference on October 19, where it will announce its third-quarter financial results. She adds that the industry will closely monitor TSMC's performance as it may provide insights into the semiconductor industry's future trends.