BANGALORE, INDIA: What a tumultous year this has been! The global semiconductor industry started this year, amid fears of a possible recession in 2008, along with concerns surrounding consumer spend that could be hit by higher oil prices and the US mortgage crisis.

As the year ambled along, the industry did show some positives, only to be pulled back by poor memory! DRAMeXchange, indicated a new record low for DDR 1Gb, in early September. Just last week, we have had the Taiwan government focusing on a bailout plan for the hard local-hit DRAM makers, while elsewhere, Qimonda and Hynix have been provided lifelines! Now, we hear that Elpida is in talks with Taiwan DRAM makers.

Further, EDA has had a constant struggle this year, while fab spends dipped, and promise to dip further in 2009!

Presenting a snapshot of what's 2009 going to be like, globally, and in India, in the semiconductor space!

It's gonna be a bumpy ride ahead! Rock on!!

Outlook 2009: Global semicon to drop 7 percent or more!
At a industry webcast organized by Semiconductor International, US, each one of the experts predicted a gloomy outlook for 2009.

Semicon to decline by 2 percent in 2008
It is possible for the decline to worsen as more companies revise down their fourth quarter guidance, says iSuppli.

Outlook 2009: Negative sales growth for memory
However, the rate of sales decline will be much lower than that of 2008, says iSuppli.

Good position likely for PLDs in 2009: Altera
Altera feels communications, military and industrial segments will be in better situation than others, and it will continue to focus in these segments.

Key focus areas/trends for EDA in 2009
These will likely be new design for manufacturing technologies, verification and verification IPs, and multicore processing support for EDA flows, says Jaswinder Ahuja of Cadence/ISA.

Missed the first part? Here it is: Semicon Outlook - I: What Analysts' Forecast!

Outlook 2009: Top global/Indian semicon trends
Here are some thoughts on how semiconductor industry globally and the India could turn out to be, in 2009.

Key semicon/electronics trends for 2009: NXP
Presenting a snapshot what could likely happen in the Indian and global electronics and semiconductor spaces in the coming year.

Top global/India forecasts for 2009: Freescale
Freescale sees three key trends driving market growth over the next few years.

As always, we look forward to your feedback and comments.

Wishing all of our readers a very happy, successful and prosperous 2009!