Hard drive makers have recently started downward adjusting their shipment forecasts for the second quarter due to Europe's financial troubles as well as reducing their third- and fourth-quarter 2010 shipment forecasts by 5-10%. Shipment ratio for the first and second halves of 2010 will also change from the previous year's 4:6, to 5:5, according to sources from hard drive makers.

The sources cited a research firm's figures to note that the hard drive market was originally expected to see shipments of 165 million units in the second quarter of 2010, but due to impact from Europe's bond crisis, the forecast for the second quarter has recently been reduced to only 152-155 million units.

Meanwhile, hard drive makers are also reducing their quarterly shipment forecasts for the second half by 5-10% since the second half of 2010, the traditional peak season for the IT industry, may not see growth as strong as in previous years.

Hard drive makers enjoyed strong shipments in the first quarter with volumes reaching 164 million units, according to iSuppli. Makers hoped shipments in the second half could rise even higher to 185 million in the third quarter and 192 million units in the fourth quarter due to seasonality; however, since current order visibility for the second half is maintaining at a similar level as that in the first quarter, makers are starting to lower their forecasts.

Although makers are unlikely to achieve their original shipment goals for the second half 2010, shipments will still see growth compared to the same period a year ago.

In other news, the sources noted that the shortage of 3.5-inch hard drives has been eased due to falling demand from PC makers.