The downward trend for personal computer demand now seems perpetual. The global PC market continued to suffer slow shipment growth in leading countries across key regions in May, according to the latest market study by International Data Corporation (IDC).
April shipment growth had improved slightly from March in Latin America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), but May growth has come in slower than April for each of these markets -- except India and UK.
IDC's quarterly PC forecast from May projected worldwide PC shipment declines of -11.7 percent in the second quarter of 2013 (2Q13), -4.7 percent in the third quarter, and -1.6 percent in the fourth quarter -- resulting in total annual growth of -7.8 percent for 2013.
This follows a decline of -13.3 percent in the first quarter of 2013 and -4.0 percent for all of 2012. The results for May are behind pace for achieving the projected 2Q13 growth rates, although stronger June results could still make up most if not all of the difference.
"The expectation for the second quarter was not all that high, showing only minor improvement from the first quarter. But the May results reflect deteriorating conditions rather than improvement and the market will probably fall short of projections," said Loren Loverde, vice president at IDC.
That being said, IDC says that they still expect an improvement in the second half of the year -- as more new products are launched, and there's the back-to-school and holiday seasons.
But the market will likely remain cautious about the second half of 2013.
The IDC market study includes Western European countries, as well as other top markets around the world. Their Monthly PC Tracker expands on IDC's extensive Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker by providing more frequent market data on the top markets.
April shipment growth had improved slightly from March in Latin America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), but May growth has come in slower than April for each of these markets -- except India and UK.
IDC's quarterly PC forecast from May projected worldwide PC shipment declines of -11.7 percent in the second quarter of 2013 (2Q13), -4.7 percent in the third quarter, and -1.6 percent in the fourth quarter -- resulting in total annual growth of -7.8 percent for 2013.
This follows a decline of -13.3 percent in the first quarter of 2013 and -4.0 percent for all of 2012. The results for May are behind pace for achieving the projected 2Q13 growth rates, although stronger June results could still make up most if not all of the difference.
"The expectation for the second quarter was not all that high, showing only minor improvement from the first quarter. But the May results reflect deteriorating conditions rather than improvement and the market will probably fall short of projections," said Loren Loverde, vice president at IDC.
That being said, IDC says that they still expect an improvement in the second half of the year -- as more new products are launched, and there's the back-to-school and holiday seasons.
But the market will likely remain cautious about the second half of 2013.
The IDC market study includes Western European countries, as well as other top markets around the world. Their Monthly PC Tracker expands on IDC's extensive Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker by providing more frequent market data on the top markets.