FRAMINGHAM, MA – Worldwide IT spending will increase by 4.1% in constant currency this year, IDC said, down from its previous forecast of 4.6%. The good news is the worst is likely over, and pentup demand will accelerate overall IT sales through the rest of the year, the research firm said. 

NEW YORK --  A leading semiconductor analyst says expected 2014 sales growth is 8.4% year-over-year, lower than last month's forecast of 11.9%. Mike Cowan is basing his updated estimate on March global semiconductor sales as reported by the WSTS, which came in at $331.335 billion. 

FRANKFURT -- Printed circuit board sales at German fabricators were up 4% sequentially and 5.2% year-over-year in March, the Central Association of the PCB and Electronic Systems said. First quarter orders were up 17% from a year ago, the trade group added.

LEATHERHEAD, SURREY, UK -- Printed circuit board sales in China will grow 5.5% compounded annually through 2017, while sales in the US and Europe will stall, says a new report from BPA Consulting.