Year-to-year comparisons look dire everywhere but Taiwan, but sequential numbers look much better.

Following a disappointing period in the first quarter of this year, IHS plans to lower its chip forecast to 4.8% for 2013, down from 5.6% in the previous forecast.

Sales were down, but shift to 300mm wafers hit a record as chipmakers moved to latest processes.

While consumers are watching more movies, it won’t boost the DVD market – price competition is keeping things in check.

$300 billion is a lot of chips, but it’s not enough to show industry growth.

Sales relatively flat in 2013, but double digit growth returns in 2014.

IHS is downgrading its forecast for the global semiconductor market in 2012, with revenue now expected to decline by 2.3 percent for the year.

Growth expected to return in 2013 and 2014, but Europe and Fiscal Cliff remain concerns.

Three pure-play foundries, TSMC, GlobalFoundries and UMC, are expected to be in the top 20 rankings of leading semiconductor suppliers in 2012.

Total wafer shipments are expected to remain below the all-time high set in 2010 this year but reach record levels in 2013 and 2014.