IPC Monthly Electronic Business Report
May 2013 — North American Electronics Business Performance Sluggish, but Leading Indicators are Up
The U.S. economy grew by 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013, but this was not as much economists expected. PCB sales and U.S. new orders for electronic products registered positive growth in March 2013, but EMS and semiconductor sales registered negative growth for the same month. The three-month moving averages were down as well, except for U.S. new orders, as shown in the graph below.
U.S. new orders is a leading indicator for near-term growth, as is IPC’s PCB book-to-bill ratio. The ratio continued to strengthen in March, reaching 1.08. The book-to-bill ratio leads sales in the PCB industry by three to six months. The three-month rolling average of new orders for electronic products was slightly up in March after a downward slide in the first two months of 2013.
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Market Data Update
Market Data Update is a quarterly business report for the electronic interconnection industry, which is free to IPC members and available by subscription to non-members. The report brings together the latest data highlights from many segments of the electronics supply chain. Covering metals, solder, chemicals, assembly equipment, laminates, PCBs, EMS and end-product industries, it offers readers a bird's eye view of industry dynamics. The data comes from IPC's many statistical programs, as well as from other sources, and includes an assessment of macroeconomic trends. Every issue includes leading indicators to help readers anticipate and plan for changes in their business environment.
Market Research Reports
World Market Size Estimates
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Billions of U.S. Dollars |
For Year |
Source |
| Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) |
$ 59 |
2011 |
IPC, World PCB Production Report for the Year 2011 |
| Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) |
$ 413 |
2011 |
Electronic Trends Publications |
| Electronic Equipment (Final Assembly) |
$2,172 |
2012 |
Electronic Outlook |
Find more information and data from other industry associations
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