In 2017, five semiconductor categories will outperform the world market for integrated circuits (IC) in general, analysts predict IC Insights.

The most pronounced positive dynamics is expected in the DRAM segment, which is not surprising, given the rapid rise in price of this type of chips in the first half of 2017. According to experts, revenue in the DRAM industry will rise by 55%. It is also noted that this category is leading in terms of growth rates not for the first time, and previously the DRAM segment ranked first in 2013 and 2014.

However, the IC Insights statistics indicate that the DRAM market was also an anti-leader: for example, in 2015 and 2016 specialists recorded a drop of 3% and 8%, which once again indicates the high volatility of this segment, the study says.

Above average market growth rates are expected in two categories related to the automotive industry - Automotive Special Purpose Logic and Automotive Application Specific Analog (specialized logic and analog IC for cars), as well as in the Industrial / Other Special Purpose Logic segment,. The forecast provides for an increase of 48%, 18% and 32% respectively. In this case, the NAND Flash market will grow by 17% and will outperform the entire semiconductor industry by only 1%.

In general, in 2017, positive dynamics is expected in 29 semiconductor categories, whereas in 2016 their growth was recorded in 21 segments of the IS market, experts added..