European semiconductor sales positive in July
DRAM memories price developments and their impact on the European market are still under the spotlight, and a positive result is reported in July over June.
Sales developments for NOR and NAND flash memories continue to diverge, because of the different application market segments, with NAND in higher demand than NOR.
Microprocessors, standard logic and digital signal processors reported an above average growth; sales of discretes, optoelectronics and microcontrollers on the European market remained at the same level as in the previous month.
Looking at market segments, microchips used in specific applications grew by approximately 1%, as a result of the growth in automotive, communication and consumer semiconductor sales, with a small decline for industrial and computer applications.
European semiconductor sales in July 2007 amounted to US$ 3.285 billion according to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), up 2.4% versus the previous month. This corresponds to a 3.5% growth compared to the same month last year. On a YTD basis semiconductor sales increased by 4.2% versus the same period in the year 2006.
The exchange rate of the euro compared to the US$ widened its impact on the growth data in the recent months. Measured in euro, semiconductor sales in July 2007 were €2.426 billion, up 2.0% on previous month and down 2.9% versus the same month a year ago. On a YTD basis semiconductor sales showed a decline of 3.6% versus the same period in the year 2006.
On a worldwide basis, semiconductor sales in July 2007 were US$ 20.582 billion, up 3.2% versus the previous month. This results in an increase of 2.2% versus the same month in 2006 and on a YTD basis it results in a growth rate of 3.3%.
