US DATA: -EMI projects that worldwide sales of new semiconductor manufacturing
equipment will reach $38.2 billion in 2012, says sales are expected to moderate
before posting low double-digit growth in 2014. After a 151 percent market
increase in 2010 and a 9.0 percent increase in 2011, the equipment market is
expected to contract by 12.2 percent in 2012. Growth is expected in just two
regions in 2012 – Taiwan (12.7 percent increase over 2011) and South Korea (10.7
percent increase).