SIA: Semiconductor sales booming
Sales for 2013 are set to be the highest ever. Worldwide sales increased for eighth straight months and topped $27 billion for the first time ever in October; WSTS forecasts project a growth of 4.4 percent in 2013 and 4.1 percent in 2014
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $27.06 billion in October 2013.
This is a 7.2 percent increase from the same month last year when sales were $25.24 billion, and 0.8 percent higher than last month's total.
October marked the eighth consecutive month of increasing sales and the industry's first-ever month above $27 billion in sales. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organisation and represent a three-month moving average. A table showing the results for October is shown below.
A new WSTS industry forecast alsp projects that the industry will reach its highest-ever annual sales total in 2013, and continued growth is projected for 2014 and 2015.
"With eight straight months of growth and a new monthly sales record in October, the global semiconductor industry is on track to exceed $300 billion in annual sales for the first time ever in 2013," says Brian Toohey, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association.
"The industry is projected to maintain solid growth for the remainder of 2013 and into 2014, led largely by the Americas, which has remained well ahead of last year's pace. Congress and the Administration can help maintain and strengthen growth by resolving fiscal uncertainty and investing in scientific research," he adds.
Regionally, sequential monthly sales increased in the Americas by 3.3 percent, in Europe by 1.7 percent, and in the Asia Pacific region by 0.1 percent, but decreased in Japan by 1.4 percent.
Compared to October 2012, sales increased in the Americas by 20.1 percent, in Europe by 8.6 percent, and in the Asia Pacific region by 7.4 percent, but fell in Japan by 12.1 percent, in part due to the devaluation of the Japanese yen.
SIA also endorsed the WSTS Autumn 2013 global semiconductor sales forecast. WSTS projects the industry's worldwide sales will reach $304.3 billion in 2013, which would be the industry's highest-ever annual sales total and a 4.4 percent increase from the 2012 total. A table summarising the predicted WSTC Autumn sales is below.
WSTS predicts year-over-year increases for 2013 in the Americas (10.3 percent), Asia Pacific (7.2 percent), and Europe (4.3 percent), but a sharp decline in Japan (-14.5 percent).
Beyond 2013, the industry is expected to grow steadily across all regions, according to the WSTS forecast. WSTS predicts 4.1 percent growth globally for 2014 ($316.6 billion in total sales) and 3.4 percent growth for 2015 ($327.3 billion).
WSTS anticipates the wireless and automotive end markets to grow faster than the total market. WSTS tabulates its semi-annual industry forecast by convening an extensive group of global semiconductor companies that provide accurate and timely indicators of semiconductor trends.
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry.
World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) is an independent non-profit organisation representing the vast majority of the world semiconductor industry.