In Walt D. Custer's Weekly Global Update for October 22, 2014, he noted that Taiwan-listed electronics companies, many of which manufacture in China, reported a strong, albeit seasonal, pickup in sales in September. PCB sales were seasonally strong and CCL (laminate) shipments mirrored that of PCB sales.
According to Custer, September has been historically the peak month for Asian electronic component sales, with OEM shipments normally peaking in October. Sales then begin to slide beginning in November with continued weakness through the winter months.
In Europe, he noted that electronic assembly activity improved but PCB sales declined. Custer added that the European PMI leading indicator points to continued deterioration in PCB sales.
