KUALA LUMPUR (April 30): Global sales of semiconductors fell 13% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2019 to US96.8 billion, according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

In a statement on its website April 29, SIA said sales were 15.5% lower quarter-on-quarter.

It said worldwide sales for the month of March 2019 were US$32.3 billion, a dip of 1.8% compared to the previous month’s total and 13% less than sales from March 2018.

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

SIA president and CEO John Neuffer said global semiconductor sales slowed during the first quarter of 2019, falling short of the previous quarter and Q1 of last year by double-digit percentages.

“Sales in March decreased on a year-to-year basis across all major regional markets and semiconductor product categories, consistent with the cyclical trend the global market has experienced recently,” he said.

“To help foster growth and innovation in the semiconductor industry and ensure continued U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology, policymakers in Washington should enact measures that invest in scientific research, attract and retain a top technology workforce, and ensure open markets and strong protection of intellectual property,” Neuffer said.

The SIA said that regionally, sales increased slightly on a month-to-month basis in China (1.3%) and Europe (0.6%), but decreased in Asia Pacific/All Other (-1.9%), Japan (-4.5%), and the Americas (-6.7%).

It said that on a year-to-year basis, sales were down across all regional markets: Europe (-6.8%), Asia Pacific/All Other (-9.3%), China (-9.4%), Japan (-11.1%), and the Americas (-26.6%).