For two years, strong demand and favorable pricing sent sales of semiconductors soaring: In 2017 and 2018, the global semiconductor industry saw revenue jump by 21.6% and 13.7%, respectively.

But this year will be different. 

In 2019, Euler Hermes’ analysis shows that semiconductor sales are heading for a 15% decline, the worst drop since the dot-com crisis. And while boom-and-bust cycles are common in the industry, this semiconductor slump is likely to continue well into 2020, bringing about another serious decline in sales and putting several kinds of electronics companies at risk in the U.S., China and South Korea. 

What’s Behind the Slump?

Over the last thirty years, periods of declining sales in the semiconductor industry happened every four to five years, and lasted 12-15 months, on average. They typically occurred when demand in end-markets stalled: Customers cut orders to reduce their inventories before eventually resuming placing new orders. Meanwhile, semiconductor companies found themselves with excess inventories and production overcapacities, leading to fierce price competition. 

Inertia is another major feature of the industry: R&D cycles span years, the average fabrication plant takes two years to build, and manufacturing a chip takes weeks. The double impact of lower volumes and intense price competition during downturns explains the magnitude of the contractions.

Figure 1: World Semiconductor Sales

Sources: WSTS, Euler Hermes, Allianz Research

The current downturn is no exception to this pattern. Looking at the financials of more than 20 major foundry and integrated semiconductor companies, we observe a clear upward trend in investment, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of sales, starting in 2014 and peaking in 2018. Integrated memory manufacturers were the largest contributors to the surge in capacities, but the trend is noticeable among virtually all major players.

Figure 2: Capital Expenditure of Major Semiconductor Manufacturers

Sources: Bloomberg, Euler Hermes, Allianz Research

Expectations of further dynamic growth ahead also prompted companies to increase their inventories. Days inventory outstanding, a ratio expressing inventories as a number of days of production, point to a broad-based increase in inventories in 2017 and 2018 compared to the previous 10 years. 

Figure 3: Median Days Inventory Outstanding Across the Electronics Value Chain

Sources: Bloomberg, Euler Hermes, Allianz Research

High inventory levels and new capacities set the stage for the massive decline in semiconductor sales seen in Q3 and Q4 of 2018. Growing U.S.-China trade tensions, combined with weaker-than-expected demand for key electronic products (smartphones, computers, servers), sent monthly sales down 30% between September 2018 and January 2019. Three-month rolling average sales, the industry’s preferred metric for activity, slid into negative territory year over year in January 2019 and were still down 17% year over year in August 2019.

No Recovery in Sight for 2020

We believe the current semiconductor slump will be unusually long and last well into next year, sending annual sales down a further 3%.

Most major end-markets (smartphones, computers, automotive) will continue to experience depressed demand in 2020 and remain in negative territory. In particular, we do not expect 5G take-up to be enough to accelerate smartphone replacement cycles. 

Soft demand will maintain inventories at high levels while persisting trade tensions will further weigh on business confidence, leaving little room for a significant and general improvement in the pricing environment. The past and announced capital expenditure plans of some major foundry and integrated semiconductor companies also point to substantial new capacities coming to the market by the end of 2020.

Increasing semiconductor content across electronic systems used in automotive, electricity networks, building and factory automation, etc. should continue to benefit the optoelectronics and sensors segment, but it is far from enough to compensate for adverse trends in volumes and prices in other segments. 

Figure 4: Sale of Semiconductors to the Mobile Phone Industry 

Sources: IDC, Euler Hermes, Allianz Research

A Prolonged Slump Will Weigh on Cash-Flow Generation

Our scenario of a prolonged downturn will play out similarly across the value chain, but its consequences differ significantly due to the structure and characteristics of each segment.

• We expect a minor but broad decline in revenue for most companies in 2020, consistent with our forecast of a 3% decline in semiconductor sales. Upstream companies should outperform the industry, judging from the investment plans of major foundries.
• The decline in profits will be steeper, especially for players in segments with high fixed costs (R&D, equipment) such as foundries and integrated semiconductor companies.
• Capital expenditure should remain broadly flat after a strong correction in 2019, with investment focusing on new generation telecom and memory chips.
• As a result of lower profits and flat investment, cash-flow generation is expected to decrease, while remaining largely positive for the vast majority of listed companies. 

Heightened Risks for Five Profiles of Companies

While the semiconductor industry overall should continue to display healthy profit margins, positive cash generation and low financial leverage, there are higher risks ahead for five types of companies:

• Second-tier foundry and integrated semiconductor companies are at risk of either burning cash or being left behind if dominant players were to speed up their investment in more advanced technologies or compete even more aggressively on prices. 
• Original design manufacturers and electronics manufacturing services companies, to which electronic product companies outsource the assembly of finished electronic devices, are also particularly at risk. A fragmented, low value-added, low margin activity, the segment will suffer from lower volumes and greater price pressure from its clients. 
• Some more Chinese and U.S. companies are at risk of facing new trade restrictions. In early October 2019, the U.S. added eight Chinese surveillance software and hardware companies on its “entity list,” preventing U.S. companies from doing business with them prior to obtaining a license. 
• South Korean companies also appear more vulnerable as the country is embroiled in a political and trade spat with Japan, a key supplier of chemicals used for semiconductor manufacturing. Japanese authorities introduced export restrictions (licenses) in July 2019. 
• U.S. consumer electronics retailers will feel the heat of additional tariffs on China-made electronic devices, including computers and smartphones, due for December 15 and covering about $80 billion of imports.