UK: According to Malcolm Penn, CEO, Future Horizons, the global chip market in May 2008 was up 8.4 percent compared with the market in May 2007 driven by 16.8 percent growth in the Asia Pacific region and a 10.1 percent increase in units.

The global chip market in April had been up 5.3 percent compared with April 2007.  It is memories that are holding back the numbers; take them out of the mix and the numbers are starting to sizzle.

With all of the near-term industry fundamentals positively aligned; the market will inevitable respond with a strong second-half year rebound. Contrary to collective industry wisdom … the sky is not falling in on the chip industry in general; but some companies are clearly doing much better (worse) than others.

Don't blame the market … it's execution that make the difference, he says!