Semiconductor sales to grow 3.4% in 2005

Gartner cut its forecast for semiconductor growth. Gartner forecasts 3.4% growth in chip sales in 2005, with 2.1% growth in 2006. Global memory chip sales will fall 11.2% to $42.8 bln by 2006 from $48.3 bln in 2004. For semiconductor industry Gartner predicts 10% annual growth in 2007 and 15% in 2008, pushing the industry to nearly $300 bln in sales.