Faster Chip Growth Likely, Trade Group Says

Not only are handset sales surging, but cell phones are becoming more saturated with semiconductors, given their high-end functions like digital cameras and color displays.

Separately Monday, Banc of America analyst Mark FitzGerald reacted to the latest crop of chip data by saying sales momentum may be peaking in the industry. He believes year-over-year comparisons for chip sales may top out in the early summer.

Indeed, plenty of money managers have been exiting the sector on the assumption that business can't improve much more from current levels.