KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 3): Global semiconductor sales rose 9.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) in October 2014 to US$29.7 billion from US$27.1 billion a year earlier, according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
In a statement on its website Dec 2, the SIA said that month-on-month, sales increased 1.5%.
It said that sales in the Americas increased 12.2% y-o-y in October, leading all regions.
All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.
Additionally, a new WSTS industry forecast projects substantial growth for 2014 and moderate growth for 2015 and 2016.
SIA president and CEO Brian Toohey said that year-over-year global semiconductor sales increased for the eighteenth straight month in October, and the industry was well-positioned for a strong close to 2014.
“Sales continue to be strong across the board, with nearly all regions and product categories exhibiting increases.
“We expect nearly double-digit growth in 2014, followed by moderate growth in 2015 and 2016,” he said.
The SIA said that regionally, sequential monthly sales increased in the Americas (5.8%) and remained roughly flat in Asia Pacific (up 0.7%), Europe (down 0.1%), and Japan (down 0.6%).
It said compared to October 2013, sales increased in the Americas (12.2%), Asia Pacific (12.1%), and Europe (5.2%), but decreased in Japan (down 3%).
Meanwhile, the SIA also endorsed the WSTS Autumn 2014 global semiconductor sales forecast, which projects the industry’s worldwide sales will reach US$333.2 billion in 2014, a 9% increase from the 2013 sales total.
It said WSTS predicts year-over-year increases for 2014 in Asia Pacific (11.4%), Europe (8.7%), the Americas (6.9%), and Japan (1.3%).
The SIA said beyond 2014, the industry was expected to grow steadily and moderately across all regions, according to the WSTS forecast.
It said WSTS predicts 3.4% growth globally for 2015 (US$344.5 billion in total sales) and 3.1% growth for 2016 (US$355.3 billion).