KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 3): Global sales of semiconductors rose 21.5% year-on-year in November 2017 to US$37.7 billion from US$31 billion a year earlier, according to the U.S.-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

In a statement on its website yesterday, SIA said the figure was 1.6% higher than the October 2017 total of US$37.1 billion.

It said all major regional markets posted both year-to-year and month-to-month sales increases in November, with the Americas market leading the way.

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 reached another key milestone in November, notching its highest-ever monthly sales, and appears poised to reach US$400 billion in annual sales for the first time.

“Global market growth continues to be led by sales of memory products, but sales of all other major semiconductor categories also increased both month-to-month and year-to-year in November.

“All regional markets also experienced growth in November, with the Americas continuing to post the strongest gains,” he said.

Regionally, year-to-year sales increased in the Americas (40.2%), Europe (18.8%), China (18.5%), Asia Pacific/All Other (16.2%), and Japan (10.6%).

Month-to-month sales increased in the Americas (2.6%), China (2.1%), Europe (1.8%), Asia Pacific/All Other (0.5%), and Japan (0.3%).