[Source: ZVEI; Click for enlarged view]

According to ZVEI - Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie (ZVEI), the turnover for semiconductors in Germany in May 2003 compared to the previous month sank in parallel with the weaker Dollar. It reached a value almost equal to May of the previous year. Compared to the previous month, the turnover in April had increased by 1% and in March had reduced by 1%. The marked decrease in orders received was unexpected by the ZVEI. Besides the weakened Dollar, the cause is taken to be the surprising strong collapse in microprocessor demand in all parts of the industry. Because of the large proportion of the semiconductor market, this affected the whole market segment. The same development can be observed in Europe and throughout the world according to the trade association.

Cumulated, the semiconductor marked shrank in Germany in the first five months of the year 2006 by 1% compared to the same period of the previous year. The latest development has caused expectations to be only relatively optimistic for the whole of 2006. The Book-To-Bill-Ratio, an indicator of the medium-term trend, at 0,92% was again a marked decline.