IHSiSuppli estimated annual global semiconductor market grew 2.9% over last year in the report published in September, over two months later, the annual growth rate is revised to 1.2% predicted in the fourth quarter.The vice president of iSuppli, DaleFord pointed out that semiconductor had the strong performance in the third quarter which was of 3.5% growth compared with second quarter, but the last three months of this year was dismal performance.It is generally estimated the revenue of fourth quarter will fall 2% than the previous quarter .Ford said: "Although the growth of almost 1.2% can not be positive, but in the mentality of the market, any growth is meaningful." He believes that the economic environment and the gradual deterioration of the supply chain in the electronics industry make so many people early in the last quarter not hopeful,they have revised down in the third quarter and full year 2011 semiconductor revenue, so even the smallest progress is a ray of hope for the market performance. Semiconductor was affected by the 311 earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March this year, the affected plants lead to dark clouds cover the top supply chain in Japan; on the other hand, the memory market dragged down the overall semiconductor performance in the fourth quarter. DRAM, SRAM and NORFlash this year will be down about 10% than last year. iSuppli believes that next year the memory market will remain downturn, even NANDflash are likely to decline. The microprocessor and the image sensor may have the opportunity to grow 15% compared with this year.The principal analyst of ZKResearch,ZeusKerravala agrees pessimistic view with iSuppli that the recession will make the global semiconductor market is not optimistic next year. He said: "The tough times will come, the European mess, the U.S. IT demand keeps flat, this is not a good thing." Kerravala further pointed out that the semiconductor market has always been the best indicators to test the temperature of of the economic environment, he said: "Europe's problems need radical measures,otherwise it will continue to bring uncertainty for the overall economy, which makes manufacturers have become cautious.