Good News on economic recovery in new edition of IPC Market Data Update

IPC - Association Connecting Electronics Industries has released the winter 2010 edition of Electronics Industries Market Data Update which offers proof of a continuing economic recovery. The IPC Index of North American Electronics Industry Performance rose dramatically from -18.3 in the third quarter of 2009 to -5.5 in the fourth quarter. The Index is a new business indicator that reflects trends in sales performance from all key segments of the electronics interconnect supply chain.

The U.S. economy is showing solid signs of recovery with a 5.7 percent gain in gross domestic product (GDP) in the fourth quarter of 2009. Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in December for the fifth consecutive month, and the U.S. economy overall grew for the eighth consecutive month. Most leading indicators of North American economic growth have been climbing since April 2009.

China's economic recovery is in full swing, with 10.7 percent growth in GDP in the fourth quarter of 2009. Japan's GDP growth in that quarter was weak at 1.1 percent. Europe's recovery stalled in the fourth quarter with a lower-than-expected 0.1 percent GDP growth.

Year-on-year sales growth rates hit bottom for most segments of the electronic interconnect supply chain in the first and second quarters of 2009. Most supplier industries improved significantly in the second half of 2009.

The latest growth rates from IPC's statistical programs for EMS, PCB, and supplier industries can be found in the Market Data Update, along with leading indicators, trade data and economic trends. This quarterly report is free to IPC members and can be accessed online, via a log-in page at www.ipc.org/Update.

Members can also make use of an interactive graph that shows the trends in sales growth rates for each industry segment as well as leading indicators. Members can download the graph and plug in their own company sales growth rates for easy comparison with the industry trends. The graph is updated quarterly and made available to members with the Market Data Update. IPC members interested in receiving a quarterly e-mail with links to the Market Data Update and interactive graph as soon as they are published, may contact Piyamart Holmgren, IPC market research coordinator, at +1 847-597-2868 or PiyamartHolmgren@ipc.org  and ask to be added to the distribution list.

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