Will shoppers shell out for electronics this holiday season? Eight months of a rallying market have plumped portfolios, and the third quarter saw economic growth. On the other hand, consumer confidence dropped in October, and unemployment continues to whack shoppers' finances and feelings of security.
However, the Semiconductor Industry Association is optimistic. From an Associated Press brief posted on CNBC.com:
The trade group said demand for personal computers and cell phones is driving [the 20% sequential] uptick as electronics makers stock up on parts ahead of the holiday season and that sales are 'running well ahead of the worst-case scenarios projected early in the year.'
Should SIA charter members like IBM (NYSE:IBM), Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), ON Semiconductor (NASDAQ:ONNN), and Texas Instruments (NYSE:TXN) be smiling? Or should the SIA heed Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) CEO Steve Ballmer’s advice that the IT industry will be slow to recover?
Sound off in the comments section below, and help your fellow Fools figure out what it all means.
