Semiconductor Industry Rebound: Is It Long Term?

As the Q1 and Q2 2009 financial report cards rolled in, it was clear that there were signs of optimism for the chip industry as companies were starting to guide up their projected performance. I would characterize the current scenario as one of industry stabilization -- the industry has stopped contracting. Has a long term stock price uptrend started? My gut feels says no...not yet, anyway. In the short-term, however, I am going with the trend until it breaks down ... very cautious at this point.

While the supply chain has tightened, excess inventory has been worked off, and capacity utilization has increased, there is still an issue in my mind of the macro-economic situation which now affects the chip industry in a fundamental way since a large part of the industry's revenues are derived from consumer purchases of electronics-related products.

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The SOX Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) chart shows a vibrant and steady recovery since reaching lows of 175 in November 2008. Since then SOX has followed a 75-point channel. If the index moves below the channel in the future, it would signify a period of weakness in semiconductor issues for the short-term at the minimum, in my view.

The semiconductor group along the broader based technology stocks has led the rally which began in March 2009. In the last 12 months, SOX gained 50% while the broad DJIA gained 11% in relative terms.

Another metric which I use as an input to time my exit is InsideChips' Semiconductor Advance-Decline Indicator. This indicator is based on the daily advances and declines of 111 chip stocks (excluding equipment makers). Since early 2007, this indicator showed a steady downward trend. Since the beginning of this year, the tone of this indicator changed with a bottom forming and now showing a moderate uptrend. If the slope of this A/D line is up and the market is trending upward as it is now, then the market is healthy.

I will update this article when I see a change of direction in the indicator.

Comments

[cayman:]

Interesting ,
but would like to know what customers are ramping orders to TI and INTC and how are there customers behaving. Is the channell just getting stuffed again, or is there actual sell through.

Sep 19 03:55 AM

[Moon Kil Woong:]

Yhe SOX is extraordinarily cyclical. With the chip manufacturers holding on to capital spending in order to get through this downturn inevitably this will bode well for the industry in lower production. Although the US recovery is lagging the rest of the world, global demand should firm up on a slower ramp in real supply.

In the end, tech will be looked to to save the day, yet again, by creating new demand, increasing efficiency, and improving living standards without inflation. That's why I look at tech and not the broader market to signal any hopes for a real recovery.

Sep 20 05:26 PM