KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 30): Global semiconductor sales rose 13.8% year-on-year to US$122.7 billion in the third quarter of 2018, according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

In a statement Oct 26 on its website, SIA said the figure was 4.1% higher than the previous quarter.

It said worldwide sales for the month of September 2018 reached US$40.9 billion, an uptick of 2.0% over last month’s total.

All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organisation and represent a three-month moving average.

SIA president and CEO John Neuffer said three-quarters of the way through 2018, the global semiconductor industry is on pace to post its highest-ever annual sales, comfortably topping last year’s record total of US$412 billion.

“While year-to-year growth has tapered in recent months, September marked the global industry’s highest-ever monthly sales, and Q3 was its top-grossing quarter on record.

“Year-to-year sales in September were up across every major product category and regional market, with sales into China and the Americas continuing to lead the way,” he said.

SIA said that regionally, sales increased compared to September 2017 in China (26.3%), the Americas (15.1%), Europe (8.8%), Japan (7.2%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (2.4%).

It said sales were up compared to last month in the Americas (6.0%), China (1.8%), and Europe (1.2%), but down slightly in Asia Pacific/All Other (-0.1%) and Japan (-0.6%).