November sales were up 21.5% from the US$31.0bil a year ago.
This was a sharp reversal from the previously forecast increase of 7% as fab investment growth has been revised downward for 2018 to 10% from the 14% predicted in August, according to the latest edition of the World Fab Forecast Report published by SEMI on Monday.
SEMI said entering 2018, the semiconductor industry was expected to show a rare fourth consecutive year of equipment investment growth in 2019.
But the latest report, tracking more than 400 fabs and lines with major investment projects, forecast in August a slowdown in the second half of 2018 and into the first half of 2019.
“Now, with recent industry developments, a steeper downturn in fab equipment is expected.
“The report shows overall spending down 13% in the second half of 2018 and 16% in the first half of 2019 with a strong increase in fab equipment spending expected in the second half of 2019,” it said.
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