Global Semiconductor Sales Increase in October, Remain Above Seasonal Rate

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Dec 04, 2012, 04:54 ET

Americas spur October growth; industry projects slight decrease in global sales in 2012, followed by moderate growth in 2013 and 2014

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $25.22 billion for the month of October 2012, a 1.7 percent increase from the prior month when sales were $24.79 billion. Monthly sales topped $25 billion for the first time in 2012 and remained above the seasonal growth rate in October. Total year-to-date sales in 2012 were down 3.7 percent compared to the same time last year, but the deficit was smaller than it has been all year. Regionally, sales increased in the Americas by 8.1 percent, marking the region's largest sequential monthly upsurge in the last decade. All monthly sales numbers represent a three-month moving average.

"The global semiconductor industry has demonstrated impressive resilience this year, despite operating in a challenging global macroeconomic environment," said Brian Toohey, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. "Sales for 2012 continue to lag behind 2011 totals, but the gap has closed in recent months thanks largely to growth in the Americas. Sales for October were significantly above seasonal trends, and we expect to carry this momentum into 2013 and 2014, with moderate growth projected for both years. SIA will continue to advocate on behalf of the industry for policies that promote growth and allow the industry to flourish."

On a regional basis, sequential monthly sales also increased in Asia Pacific (1.3 percent) and Europe (0.2 percent), but decreased in Japan (-3.1 percent). In the Americas, combined sales from August through October grew sharply (15.5 percent) compared to sales from May through July.

Additionally, SIA today endorsed the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization's Autumn 2012 global semiconductor sales forecast, which projects that the industry's worldwide sales will reach $290 billion in 2012 – a 3.2 percent decrease from the 2011 sales total. WSTS projects year-over-year declines for 2012 in all four major regions: the Americas (-4.4 percent), Europe (-10.7 percent), Japan (-2.1 percent) and Asia Pacific (-1.4 percent).

Beyond 2012, the industry is expected to grow steadily and moderately across all regions, according to the WSTS forecast. WSTS predicts 4.5 percent growth globally for 2013 ($303 billion in total sales) and 5.2 percent growth for 2014 ($319 billion). WSTS tabulates its annual forecast by convening an extensive group of global semiconductor companies that provide accurate and timely indicators of semiconductor trends.

October 2012
Billions
Month-to-Month Sales
Market	Last Month	Current Month	% Change
Americas	4.43	4.79	8.1%
Europe	2.79	2.79	0.2%
Japan	3.64	3.53	-3.1%
Asia Pacific	13.93	14.11	1.3%
Total	24.79	25.22	1.7%

Year-to-Year Sales
Market	Last Year	Current Month	% Change
Americas	4.67	4.79	2.6%
Europe	3.08	2.79	-9.4%
Japan	3.88	3.53	-9.1%
Asia Pacific	14.17	14.11	-0.4%
Total	25.81	25.22	-2.3%

Three-Month-Moving Average Sales
Market	May/June/July	Aug/Sept/Oct	% Change
Americas	4.14	4.79	15.5%
Europe	2.82	2.79	-1.0%
Japan	3.60	3.53	-2.0%
Asia Pacific	13.71	14.11	2.9%
Total	24.27	25.22	3.9%

WSTS Forecast Summary

Autumn 2012	Amounts in US$M				Year on Year Growth in %
Autumn 2012	2011	2012	2013	2014	2011	2012	2013	2014
Americas	55,197	52,771	54,727	57,345	2.8	-4.4	3.7	4.8
Europe	37,391	33,401	33,695	35,198	-1.7	-10.7	0.9	4.5
Japan	42,903	42,018	43,424	45,354	-7.9	-2.1	3.3	4.4
Asia Pacific	164,030	161,745	171,207	180,870	2.5	-1.4	5.9	5.6
Total World - $M	299,521	289,936	303,053	318,766	0.4	-3.2	4.5	5.2
Discrete Semiconductors	21,387	19,303	20,351	21,540	8.0	-9.7	5.4	5.8
Optoelectronics	23,092	25,989	27,775	29,477	6.4	12.5	6.9	6.1
Sensors	7,970	7,934	8,518	9,132	15.5	-0.4	7.4	7.2
Integrated Circuits	247,073	236,710	246,410	258,618	-1.1	-4.2	4.1	5.0
Analog	42,338	39,683	41,120	43,521	0.1	-6.3	3.6	5.8
Micro	65,204	60,316	62,075	64,959	7.5	-7.5	2.9	4.6
Logic	78,782	80,543	85,461	90,375	1.8	2.2	6.1	5.7
Memory	60,749	56,167	57,754	59,764	-12.7	-7.5	2.8	3.5
Total Products - $M	299,521	289,936	303,053	318,766	0.4	-3.2	4.5	5.2

About the SIA
The Semiconductor Industry Association, SIA, is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, one of America's top export industries and a bellwether measurement of the U.S. economy. Semiconductor innovations form the foundation for America's $1.1 trillion dollar technology industry affecting a U.S. workforce of nearly 6 million. Founded in 1977 by five microelectronics pioneers, SIA unites companies that account for 80 percent of the semiconductor production of this country. Through this coalition SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor design and manufacturing by working with Congress, the Administration and other key industry groups. The SIA works to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition in order to maintain a thriving semiconductor industry in the United States. Learn more at www.sia-online.org

Media Contact
Dan Rosso
Semiconductor Industry Association
[email protected]
202-446-1719

SOURCE Semiconductor Industry Association