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Global sales of semiconductors reached $29 billion in October 2015, which is 1.9 percent higher than the previous month’s total of $28.4 billion, and 2.5 percent lower than one year ago, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). The latest research also finds the Americas led all regional growth, increasing sales by 3.9 percent compared to last month.
“Global semiconductor sales have shown signs of stabilizing in recent months, with October marking the third straight month of month-to-month growth,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association, in a statement. “Year-to-date sales are narrowly ahead of where they were through the same time last year, and slight growth is projected for next year and beyond.”
Here are the month-to-month figures for all regions: Americas (3.9 percent), China (1.6 percent), Europe (1.2 percent), Japan (0.4 percent), and Asia Pacific/All Other (1.7 percent).
Here’s how they compared to October 2014: sales were up 5.7 percent in China, and down in the Americas by -5.6 percent, Europe by -9.4, Japan by -10.5 percent, and Asia Pacific/All Other by -2.4 percent.
The WSTS Autumn 2015 global semiconductor sales forecast, endorsed by SIA, forecasts that worldwide sales will increase 0.2 percent from 2014, reaching $336.4 billion in 2015. The year-to-year growth by region projected for 2015 includes: Asia Pacific (3.9 percent), Americas (-0.6 percent), Europe (-8.2 percent), and Japan (-10.3 percent).
WSTS expects growth in optoelectronics (12.1%), sensors (3.4%), and analog ICs (2.5%) to partly offset declines in discrete (-6.8%), micro (-1.5%), logic (-1.6%), and memory (-1%) ICs.
Growth projections by other market researchers also report dismal numbers. The latest research from Gartner, Inc. projects negative 0.8 percent growth in 2015 to reach $337.8 billion. Gartner downgraded its 2.2 percent growth projection in October due to weakness in several electronic equipment sectors.
Growth forecasts aren’t that much better for the next few years. The WSTS industry forecast projects global semiconductor sales to grow 1.4 percent in 2016, reaching $341 billion, followed by 3.1 percent growth in 2017, totaling $351.6 billion.
Gartner forecasts similar growth rates. Semiconductor revenue is expected to increase by 1.9 percent, reaching $344.1 billion. However, the industry is still expected to face an oversupply situation in the DRAM market next year, according to Gartner.
| October 2015 | |||
| Billions | |||
| Month-to-Month Sales | |||
| Market | Last Month | Current Month | % Change |
| Americas | 5.82 | 6.05 | 3.9% |
| Europe | 2.87 | 2.90 | 1.2% |
| Japan | 2.69 | 2.70 | 0.4% |
| China | 8.45 | 8.58 | 1.6% |
| Asia Pacific/All Other | 8.58 | 8.72 | 1.7% |
| Total | 28.41 | 28.96 | 1.9% |
| Year-to-Year Sales | |||
| Market | Last Year | Current Month | % Change |
| Americas | 6.41 | 6.05 | -5.6% |
| Europe | 3.21 | 2.90 | -9.4% |
| Japan | 3.01 | 2.70 | -10.5% |
| China | 8.12 | 8.58 | 5.7% |
| Asia Pacific/All Other | 8.94 | 8.72 | -2.4% |
| Total | 29.68 | 28.96 | -2.5% |
| Three-Month-Moving Average Sales | |||
| Market | May/Jun/Jul | Aug/Sept/Oct | % Change |
| Americas | 5.51 | 6.05 | 9.7% |
| Europe | 2.83 | 2.90 | 2.5% |
| Japan | 2.63 | 2.70 | 2.3% |
| China | 8.18 | 8.58 | 5.0% |
| Asia Pacific/All Other | 8.71 | 8.72 | 0.2% |
| Total | 27.87 | 28.96 | 3.9% |
All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. WSTS offers a subscription package with detailed sales data and forecasts.
In other news, SIA announced the SIA Board of Directors has elected Dr. Necip Sayiner, president, CEO and director of Intersil, as its 2016 Chair and Tunç Doluca, president and CEO of Maxim Integrated, as its 2016 Vice Chair.
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