KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 5): Global sales of semiconductors rose 17.4% year-on-year in July to US$39.5 billion from US$33.6 billion a year earlier, according to the U.S.-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

In a statement Sept 4 on its website, SIA said the worldwide sales in July 2018 were 0.4% higher than the June 2018 total of US$39.3 billion.

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 the global semiconductor industry posted its highest-ever monthly sales in July, easily outpacing last July and narrowly ahead of last month’s total.

“Sales were up year-to-year across every major semiconductor product category and regional market, with the China and Americas markets leading the way with growth of greater than 20%,” he said.

SIA said that regionally, sales increased compared to July 2017 in China (29.4%), the Americas (20.7%), Europe (11.7%), Japan (11.5%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (5.7%).

It said sales were up compared to last month in China (1.7%) and the Americas (0.4%), held flat in Asia Pacific/All Other, and decreased slightly in Japan (-0.1%), and Europe (-2.4%).