Growth in global notebook computer shipments is expected to weaken to less than 5 percent this quarter as more signs point to sluggish demand amid a fragile economic recovery in the US and Europe, a Taipei-based market researcher said yesterday.
As a result of weaker-than-expected economic revival in the world’s major PC markets, TrendForce Corp (集邦科技) yesterday trimmed its forecast for third-quarter global notebook computer shipments to 50.34 million units.
DISAPPOINTING SALES
Three weeks ago, TrendForce estimated that shipments would expand 12.8 percent this quarter from last quarter, on expectation of a boost from the back-to-school PC shopping season. Shipments have usually grown by 10 to 15 percent quarter-on-quarter in the traditionally busy third quarter.
However, “July sales from PC and NB [notebook] companies were mostly lower than the market expectations,” TrendForce said in a report.
“Major PC makers are axing orders [to contract equipment manufacturers] to keep inventories within normal levels amid weaker-than-expected end product demand,” the Taipei-based research firm said.
Acer Inc (宏碁), the world’s No. 2 PC maker, last week reported a surprising decline of 40 percent for sales last month to NT$26.26 billion (US$822 million) from NT$44.42 billion in June, although it reaffirmed its revenue forecast for growth of 15 to 20 percent quarter-on-quarter for the July-September period.
“Acer chose to sell its products to supply chains first, but only end demand matters,” TrendForce said.
For the full year, global notebook shipments would be 193 million units, instead of the 202.62 million units estimated originally, TrendForce said.
The latest forecast included netbook computer shipments.
PRICING PRESSURE
Besides, TrendForce said existing notebook computer contract makers are facing escalating pricing pressure from, and market loss to, new players of electronics manufacturer service (EMS) providers such as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密), which are better at controlling costs through in-house production of components.
That would further cut existing players’ gross margin next year, the researcher said. TrendForce did not provide detailed gross margin projections.
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