Market observers have expressed uncertainty about silicon wafer company GlobalWafers' business prospects for the third quarter, citing the coronavirus pandemic's impact on end-market demand.
GlobalWafers is likely to see its chipmaking customers start cutting back orders as early as the third quarter, as the pandemic is affecting negatively end-market demand, the observers said. The silicon wafer supplier specializing in mainstream wafer sizes may experience a weaker-than-expected second half of this year, due to cutbacks in customer orders or delays in shipments at the request of its clients, the observers noted.
Nevertheless, GlobalWafers is expected to provide a positive outlook for its operations in the current second quarter, thanks to a rise in chip demand for healthcare related devices and applications enabling remote work, the observers indicated. The silicon wafer maker will hold its quarterly investors conference later today (May 5).
Global silicon wafer market sales could dip if uncertainty surrounding the impact of COVID-19 to the semiconductor industry persists, SEMI said in its recent report. With the world continuing to combat the coronavirus, SEMI expects a drop in silicon wafer sales in the second half of 2020 with possible ripple effects on price negotiations in 2021.
Article translated by Jessie Shen
