After declining on an annual basis for the first three quarters of 2009, semiconductor industry revenue is expected to show year-to-year improvement in the fourth quarter-albeit in comparison to the low levels established in the fourth quarter of last year.

According to market research firm iSuppli Corp. (El Segundo, Calif.), fourth-quarter chip revenue is expected to be $60.4 billion, up 10.6 percent compared to $54.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2008.

ISuppli is hardly alone in predicting year-to-year growth in the fourth quarter. As the downturn set in, semiconductor revenues dropped off a cliff in the fourth quarter of 2008, falling by 21 percent compared to the previous quarter, according to iSuppli's data. Nearly all observers expect the industry to show year-to-year growth in the fourth quarter, now that business conditions have improved. 

Read more in the October 27, 2009 EE TImes