The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $29.0 billion for the month of October 2015, 1.9 percent higher than the previous month’s total of $28.4 billion and 2.5 percent lower than the October 2014 total of $29.7 billion. The Americas market posted 3.9 percent growth compared to last month, leading all regions. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. Additionally, a new WSTS industry forecast projects slight market growth for the next three years.

“Global semiconductor sales have shown signs of stabilizing in recent months, with October marking the third straight month of month-to-month growth,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Year-to-date sales are narrowly ahead of where they were through the same time last year, and slight growth is projected for next year and beyond.”

Month-to-month sales increased across all regional markets: the Americas (3.9 percent), China (1.6 percent), Europe (1.2 percent), Japan (0.4 percent), and Asia Pacific/All Other (1.7 percent). Compared to October 2014, sales were up in China (5.7 percent), but down in the Americas (-5.6 percent), Europe (-9.4), Japan (-10.5 percent), and Asia Pacific/All Other (-2.4 percent).

Additionally, SIA endorsed the WSTS Autumn 2015 global semiconductor sales forecast, which projects the industry’s worldwide sales will reach $336.4 billion in 2015, a 0.2 percent increase from the 2014 sales total. WSTS projects year-to-year increases for 2015 in Asia Pacific (3.9 percent), with decreases projected for the Americas (-0.6 percent), Europe (-8.2 percent), and Japan (-10.3 percent).

Beyond 2015, the global market is expected to grow at a modest pace. WSTS forecasts 1.4 percent growth globally for 2016 ($341.0 billion in total sales) and 3.1 percent growth for 2017 ($351.6 billion). WSTS tabulates its semi-annual industry forecast by convening an extensive group of global semiconductor companies that provide accurate and timely indicators of semiconductor trends.