Semiconductor spending to jump 51% in 2004

Global spending on semiconductor capital will reach $44.8 bln this year, a 51% jump over 2003, Gartner said. And worldwide spending on capital equipment in the industry is projected to surge 64% to $37.3 bln this year. Those figures tower over the growth seen in 2003. Last year, chip capital spending grew just 8% and capital equipment spending increased 10%.