February 2, 2011 – BUSINESS WIRE — The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced that worldwide semiconductor sales for 2010 reached a record $298.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 31.8% from the $226.3 billion recorded in 2009. Worldwide semiconductor sales in December amounted to $25.2 billion, a modest decline of 3.0% from the month prior in line with historical seasonality, and 12.2% higher than December 2009. Fourth quarter sales of $75.5 billion represent a 4.0% decline from the immediate prior quarter, and a 12.2% increase over the same period in 2009.
In 2010, all major semiconductor product categories showed double-digit growth year-over-year.
For the current year, the SIA forecasts moderate single-digit growth for the industry sector as a whole. This growth projection is encouraging given the continued impact of the economic downturn.
"Semiconductor sales are a bright spot in our current economic picture, delivering a record high in the billions. The year-over-year growth is due in part to the increased use of semiconductor technology in a wider range of electronic devices that we have come to enjoy in modern life," said Brian Toohey, president, Semiconductor Industry Association. "Our member companies continue to ramp up their operations to meet the growing demand for semiconductor innovation."
"Semiconductor design and manufacturing facilities are strategic to [US] economic growth. However, our industry is faced with fierce global competition and our policymakers and regulators must ensure that we have balanced tax, regulatory and trade policies to allow our industry to continue to flourish in the U.S. and remain America’s largest export industry," Toohey concluded. Semiconductors have been the US’s top export over the last five years; the Asia Pacific region represents 54% of the total worldwide semiconductor market. The Americas semiconductor market only accounts for 18% of the world market.
The SIA Global Sales Report (GSR) is a three-month moving average of sales activity. The GSR is tabulated by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization, an independent, non-profit organization established by the global semiconductor industry to compile industry statistics. The moving average is a mathematical smoothing technique that mitigates variations due to differences in companies’ financial calendars.
The Semiconductor Industry Association, SIA, is the voice of the Unites States semiconductor industry. 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.
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