KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 6): Global semiconductor sales fell 3% year-on-year in November last year, according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

In a statement on its website yesterday, the SIA said global semiconductor sales dipped to US$28.9 billlion in November 2015 from US$29.8 billion a year earlier.

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

SIA president and CEO John Neuffer said softening demand and lingering macroeconomic challenges continued to limit global semiconductor sales in November

“Despite these headwinds, the industry may narrowly surpass total annual sales from 2014 and is projected to post modest sales increases in 2016 and beyond,” he said.

The SIA said that regionally, month-to-month sales increased in China (1.0%), Europe (1.0%), and the Americas (0.3%), but decreased in Japan (-0.6%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (-2.4%).

It said compared to November 2014, sales were up in China (5.3%), but down in Asia Pacific/All Other (-4.1%), the Americas (-7.1%), Europe (-8.0%), and Japan (-8.6%).