May semiconductor sales edge out June numbers for third growth month

July 4, 2012 — Worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $24.4 billion for the month of May 2012, a 1.4% increase over April’s sales of $24.1 billion, reports the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

Figure. Worldwide Semiconductor Revenues. SOURCE: WSTS and SIA.

Combined global sales for the March-April-May period increased over December-January-February by the highest rate (6.4%) since June 2010. Additionally, May marked the third consecutive month that sales have grown over the previous month — the longest streak of sequential monthly growth since September 2010. However, sales from May 2012 were 3.4% lower than the May 2011 total of $25.2 billion, and 2012 year-to-date sales were lower across all regions than at this time last year. All monthly sales numbers represent a three-month moving average.

Tables. May 2012 Semiconductor Sales

 

Month-to-Month Sales ($B)

Market

Last Month

Current Month

% Change

Americas

4.56

4.48

-1.8%

Europe

2.82

2.84

0.8%

Japan

3.38

3.35

-0.6%

Asia Pacific

13.31

13.71

3.1%

Total

24.07

24.39

1.4%

Year-to-Year Sales ($B)

Market

Last Year

Current Month

% Change

Americas

4.63

4.48

-3.2%

Europe

3.29

2.84

-13.6%

Japan

3.34

3.35

0.4%

Asia Pacific

13.98

13.71

-1.9%

Total

25.24

24.39

-3.4%

Three-Month-Moving Average Sales ($B)

Market

Dec/Jan/Feb

Mar/Apr/May

% Change

Americas

4.41

4.48

1.6%

Europe

2.72

2.84

4.4%

Japan

3.38

3.35

-0.7%

Asia Pacific

12.41

13.71

10.5%

Total

22.92

24.39

6.4%

“The upward trend of global semiconductor sales is encouraging,” said Brian Toohey, president & CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Recent sales totals are in line with industry projections of modest growth for the remainder of 2012, but a sluggish global economy continues to provide substantial headwinds, limiting more robust growth.”

Regionally, semiconductor sales increased in Asia Pacific (10.5%), Europe (4.4%) and the Americas (1.6%) over a three-month moving average, but fell slightly in Japan (-0.7%). However, Japan realized an increase in sales from May 2011 to May 2012 (0.4%), while Asia Pacific (-1.9%), the Americas (-3.2%) and Europe (-13.6%) all saw year-to-year decreases.

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) represents the US semiconductor industry. Learn more at www.sia-online.org.

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