Circuits Assembly - January 2008 - (Page 19)

rate is projected for 2007, and the picture is expected References to look rosy through the Summer Olympics in Beijing. However, China’s bubble economy is creating inflation 1. E. Jan Vardaman, “The Sun Shines for Semiconductor Equipment and that could threaten its long-term economic growth. Material Makers,” CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY, July 2007. Real estate and stock prices have soared; real estate 2. Wall Street Journal, Aug. 29, 2007. speculation is at an all-time high, and the govern3. HANOI, (Xinhua via COMTEX), Oct. 10, 2007. ment is responding by raising interest rates and taking 4. Xinhua via COMTEX, Sept. 12, 2007. other measures to curb lending and slow investments 5.The Daily Yomiuri, “China to Tighten Monetary Policy, Control Lendin shopping malls, factories and office buildings. The ing,” Dec. 6, 2007. government fears a glut of unneeded projects could 6. Economist.com, Dec. 11, 2007. lead to bank loan defaults and spur a debt crisis. Some of these decisions take place in a closed-door economic conference held by Communist Party leaders each December to draft policy for the coming year. Slowing growth is tricky in China, where maintaining by a rising standard of living and lifting millions from poverty is key to political stability.5 Submarined by subprimes. The U.S. economy is expectTO ORDER: ed to slow from a real GDP Online: www.LeadFreeService.com Fax: 216-896-0405 growth rate of 1.8% in 2007 Dr. Hwang’s upcoming Lead-free lectures/seminars to 1.2% this year.6 There are Visit: www.LeadFreeService.com many concerns about growth and the subprime mortgage rate fiasco’s impact. Interest rates on two million subprime mortgages are due to rise sharply in the coming months; many people could lose homes. In addition, falling housing prices have hurt many families’ overall wealth. Consumer spending, especially on electronics, has been strong despite higher gas prices. Higher gasoline and home heating fuel prices could slow spending ahead. Expectations for 2008 vary among industry observers. Some financial analysts are concerned the mortgage market crisis could harm consumer spending. Continued consumer spending, trends in energy prices, economic conditions in China and expansion in India, Vietnam and other growing economies will determine how 2008 plays out. ■ On the Forefront Reference Books Dr. Jennie Hwang circuitsassembly.com Circuits Assembly JANUARY 2008 19 http://www.LeadFreeService.com http://www.LeadFreeService.com http://circuitsassembly.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Circuits Assembly - January 2008

Circuits Assembly - January 2008 Contents Caveat Lector Industry News Market Watch Talking Heads Focus on Business On the Forefront Screen Printing Better Manufacturing Walking on Water Flux Selection for Lead-Free Wave Soldering An A-to-Z Guide to X-Ray Inspection, Part II Evolution in Action Research Priorities for the Electronics Industry Selective Soldering Process Doctor Pb-Free Lessons Learned Materials World Product Spotlight Ad Index Assembly Insider Technical Abstracts

Circuits Assembly - January 2008

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