KUALA LUMPUR (April 8): MIDF Research has maintained its “Positive’ rating on the semiconductor industry premised on strong demand from the automotive and communications segment.

In a note today, the research house said growth in Global Semiconductor Sales (GSS) decelerated to +6.7% year-on-year in February 2015, signalling the start of seasonal weakness.

It said total sale remained above US$25 billion at US$27.8 billion.

“There is a noticeable divergence between the growth momentum in the Americas region versus that in Europe and Japan. Growth in the Asia Pacific region stays stable,” it said.