Among survey candidates, the average confidence level of manufacturers of Computers & Systems, Communication, SmarTech and Components & Parts prevails over other segments, which is corresponding to the growing shipments of smart handheld devices and the burgeoning market demand for smart wearable products.

Figure I: CEI from 2010Q4-2014Q1 (Source: TCA 1/2014)

A survey of Q114’s confidence level is also conducted upon the international buyers of 2013 COMPUTEX TAIPEI, and an average score of 1.88, which belongs to the interval of “Above Average” and is similar to last quarter’s 1.9, shows that the confidence forecast among foreign buyers is more optimistic than Taiwanese exhibitors. Among the survey responses, European buyers are the only group which falls behind the average while Asia-Pacific and American buyers embrace a brighter future in Q114.

Among the effective samples, 39% of the exhibitors’ answer belongs to “Very Optimistic”, “Optimistic” and “Above Average”, which is higher than last quarter’s 32%. On the contrary, answers belong to “Below Average”, “Pessimistic” and “Very Pessimistic” account for 37% of the exhibitors, which is slightly higher than last quarter’s (36%). The survey was conducted from December 6 to December 17 with a population of 1,074 exhibitors attending 2013 COMPUTEX TAIPEI. The total number of effective samples is 314, and the response rate is 29%.

Figure II: Ratio of responses (Q114) (Source:TCA one-two thousand fourteenth)

Medium to large-sized enterprises consider Q114 to be promising

Based on division of paid-in capital, medium to large-sized enterprises hold a relatively strong faith in the performance of IT industry in Q114 in terms of their “Above Average” expectations. While small-sized enterprises stay a conservative position with a “Below Average” score of 1.46.

Figure III: Average CEI by paid-in capital (Q114) (Source: TCA 1/2014)

Continuous growth in smart handheld devices & smart wearable products

In terms of product segments, suppliers of Computers & Systems, Communication, SmarTech, Components & Parts show stronger confidence level among all exhibitors, which is corresponding with the uprising shipments of smart handheld devices and the burgeoning market demand for smart wearable products. To be noticed, the development of smart wearable products has been further enhanced by the trend of LOHAS in recent years. As a result, it not only brings opportunities of combining advantages among different industries but also encourages many non-ICT enterprises to step forward into the field.

Regarding segment of Touch applications & Display, attributed to the insufficient market saturation of touch screen laptop and the stock clearance from supply chain, manufacturers in this segment have come up with a downward confidence level. As for segment of Data Storage, despite its potential in cloud storage services, the average score from this sector is still affected by the method of categorization which assigns internet communication products to the segment of Communication.

Figure IV: Average CEI by manufacturer segments (Source: TCA 1/2014)

Optimistic views from Asian-Pacific and American regions than European buyers

The 1.88 final score of Q114 CBI survey shows a similar result with last quarter’s 1.9. Despite a weak confidence forecast received from European buyers, the result still falls at the “Above Average” interval because of the promising anticipation from Asia-Pacific and American buyers. The total effective samples of CBI survey are 372, and the response rate is 1.5%.