Semiconductor sales continue to rebound

Growth steady but still below last year’s sales

The latest data from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) shows chip sales up 19.7 per cent over the last quarter.

Worldwide chip sales in the quarter ended September 30 rose to $61.9bn, up from $51.7bn in the prior three months. However, sales are still over ten per cent lower than this time last year.

“Global semiconductor sales in the third quarter were above expectations,” said SIA President George Scalise.

“September sales were in line with historical patterns, reflecting increased demand from end-users as they began the build for the holiday season. Sales are running well ahead of the worst-case scenarios projected early in the year, and we are optimistic that total sales for 2009 will be better than our mid-year forecast.”

The two strongest sectors were chips sales for personal computers and mobile phones while demand for semiconductors for industrial applications was showing weaker signs of recovery after plunging over the last year.

Sales increased in all geographic regions,although growth in the Americas was slower than elsewhere in the world. Chip sales in Europe remain the hardest hit, with sales down 24.8 per cent on last year’s figures.

Scalise said that the industry was expecting further growth this year in line with seasonal expectations.