Global Semiconductor Sales Remain Steady in June

WASHINGTON, D.C.—AUG. 3, 2012—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $24.38 billion for the month of June 2012, a slight decrease of 0.1 percent from the prior month when sales were $24.40 billion. Sales from June 2012 were 2 percent lower than the June 2011 total of $24.89 billion, but the year-over-year decrease was smaller than it has been since October 2011. All monthly sales numbers represent a three-month moving average.

“The semiconductor industry continues to navigate the turbulent global economy better than most sectors, but macroeconomic uncertainties are limiting overall recovery and growth. The Japan and Asia Pacific sequential increases are encouraging signs, but are tempered by continued weakness in Europe and the Americas,” said Brian Toohey, president & CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Congress can help ease economic uncertainty by enacting effective and dependable policies that promote American competitiveness and spur economic growth. Policymakers should chart a path forward during the August congressional recess and return to Washington, D.C. next month ready to act.”

Regionally, semiconductor sales increased on a sequential monthly basis in Japan (2 percent) and Asia Pacific (0.6 percent) but declined in Europe (-0.7 percent) and the Americas (-3.6 percent). Compared to June 2011, sales in June 2012 increased in Japan (3.7 percent) and Asia Pacific (1.0 percent) but fell steeply in the Americas (-8.1 percent) and Europe (-12.1 percent). Japan and Asia Pacific attained month-over-month and year-over-year growth simultaneously for the first time since September 2010.

Click here to view the June 2012 chart and graph.

About the SIA

The Semiconductor Industry Association, SIA, is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, one of America's top export industries and a bellwether measurement of the U.S. economy. Semiconductor innovations form the foundation for America's $1.1 trillion dollar technology industry affecting a U.S. workforce of nearly 6 million. Founded in 1977 by five microelectronics pioneers, SIA unites over 60 companies that account for 80 percent of the semiconductor production of this country. Through this coalition SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor design and manufacturing by working with Congress, the Administration and other key industry groups. The SIA works to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition in order to maintain a thriving semiconductor industry in the United States. Learn more at www.sia-online.org