Supply Chain Research

The emergence of the Meltdown and Specter kernel threats to Intel and other semiconductors may act as a temporary brake on smartphone and PC sales. That would follow a record breaking month for Chinese exports in November. Exports of smartphones in November climbed 17% on a year earlier to reach a new one-month record, led by a 211% jump in shipments by Wistron. That resulted from its inclusion in Apple’s supply chain which, when combined with Foxconn and Pegatron exports, improved by 11% in November. A 2% slide on a three month basis though suggests the split of iPhone 8 and X launches ...