The European semiconductor market up 4% in November
Semiconductor sales in Europe went up 4% in November, compared to October, as reported by WSTS this month. This result is in line with the seasonal strength typical of the end of the year in Europe.
The market has been driven by the strong sales of Microprocessors and Microcontrollers, the product categories which account for approximately 30% of the total sales in our region.
Memory products have also contributed to this good performance, specifically DRAMS have continued to grow faster than the average semiconductor market.
European Semiconductor sales in November 2006 amounted to US$ 3.684 billion according to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), up 4.0% versus the previous month. This corresponds to a 4.3% growth compared to the same month last year. On a YTD basis, semiconductor sales increased in 2006 by 1.1% versus the year 2005.
The exchange rate of the Euro compared to the US$ widened again its impact on the growth data in the recent month. Measured in Euro, semiconductor sales in November were EURO 2.893 billion, up 3.9% on previous month and down 1.3% versus the same month a year ago. On a YTD basis, semiconductor sales show in 2006 a growth of 1.0% versus 2005.
On a worldwide basis, semiconductor sales in November were US$ 22.703 billion, up 3.1% versus the previous month and a new record high. This results in an increase of 11.3% versus the same month in 2005 and on a YTD basis it results in a growth rate of 9.4%.
