The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, today announced worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $38.7 billion for the month of May 2018, an increase of 21.0 percent compared to the May 2017 total of $32.0 billion. Global sales in May were 3 percent higher than the April 2018 total of $37.6 billion. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

“The global semiconductor market has posted consistent growth of greater than 20 percent for 14 consecutive months, and May 2018 marked the industry’s highest-ever monthly sales,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “The Americas led the way once again, with sales increasing by more than 30 percent compared to last year, and sales were up across all major semiconductor product categories on both a year-to-year and month-to-month basis.”

Year-to-year sales increased solidly across all regions: the Americas (31.6 percent), China (28.5 percent), Europe (18.7 percent), Japan (14.7 percent), and Asia Pacific/All Other (8.7 percent). Month-to-month sales increased more modestly across all regions: China (6.3 percent), Japan (2.6 percent), Asia Pacific/All Other (1.2 percent), the Americas (1.1 percent), and Europe (1.0 percent).