Global Semiconductor Sales Jump by Largest Margin in Over Three Years

Sales in May up 4.6 percent globally, 5.6 percent in the Americas compared to April

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- July 1, 2013 -- The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $24.70 billion for the month of May 2013, an increase of 4.6 percent from the previous month when sales were $23.62 billion. This represents the largest sequential monthly increase in sales for the industry since March 2010. Global sales in May 2013 were 1.3 percent higher than the May 2012 total of $24.40 billion, and year-to-date sales in 2013 are 1.5 percent higher than they were at the same point in 2012. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

“May was an unambiguously strong month for the global semiconductor industry, with growth across all regions and particularly encouraging increases in the Americas and Asia Pacific,” said Brian Toohey, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Sales have remained ahead of last year’s pace throughout 2013, indicating the increasing resiliency of the market.”

Regionally, sales in May increased compared to April in Asia Pacific (5.9 percent), the Americas (5.6 percent), Japan (0.8 percent), and Europe (0.3 percent), marking the first time since September 2012 that all four regions have seen sequential monthly growth. Compared to the same month in 2012, sales in May increased in Asia Pacific (5.8 percent), the Americas (3.0 percent), and Europe (0.1 percent), but fell steeply in Japan (-18.4 percent), largely because of the devaluation of the Japanese yen.

“Building on the semiconductor industry’s recent momentum will require enacting federal policies that embrace innovation and foster growth,” continued Toohey. “The Senate’s recent approval of comprehensive immigration reform legislation is a significant step forward. The House should follow suit and promptly approve legislation to fix America’s outdated high-skilled immigration system.”

To find out how to purchase the WSTS Subscription Package, which includes comprehensive monthly semiconductor sales data and detailed WSTS Forecasts, please visit http://www.semiconductors.org/industry_statistics/wsts_subscription_package/. 

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 key driver of America’s economic strength, national security and global competitiveness. Semiconductors – microchips that control all modern electronics – enable the systems and products that we use to work, communicate, travel, entertain, harness energy, treat illness, and make new scientific discoveries. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.S. In 2012, U.S. semiconductor sales totaled more than $146 billion, and semiconductors make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. Founded in 1977 by five microelectronics pioneers, SIA unites companies that account for 80 percent of America’s semiconductor production. 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 stakeholders to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org.

About WSTS

World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) is an independent non-profit organization representing the vast majority of the world semiconductor industry. The mission of WSTS is to be the respected source of semiconductor market data and forecasts. Founded in 1986, WSTS is the singular source for monthly industry shipment statistics.