Worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $27.06 billion for the month of October 2013, a 7.2 percent increase from the same month last year when sales were $25.24 billion, and 0.8 percent higher than last month’s total, according to The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). October marked the eighth consecutive month of increasing sales and the industry’s first-ever month above $27 billion in sales. 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 that the industry will reach its highest-ever annual sales total in 2013, and continued growth is projected for 2014 and 2015.

“With eight straight months of growth and a new monthly sales record in October, the global semiconductor industry is on track to exceed $300 billion in annual sales for the first time ever in 2013,” said Brian Toohey, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “The industry is projected to maintain solid growth for the remainder of 2013 and into 2014, led largely by the Americas, which has remained well ahead of last year’s pace. Congress and the Administration can help maintain and strengthen growth by resolving fiscal uncertainty and investing in scientific research.”

Regionally, sequential monthly sales increased in the Americas (3.3 percent), Europe (1.7 percent), and Asia Pacific (0.1 percent), but decreased in Japan (-1.4 percent). Compared to October 2012, sales increased in the Americas (20.1 percent), Europe (8.6 percent), and Asia Pacific (7.4 percent), but fell in Japan (-12.1 percent), in part due to the devaluation of the Japanese yen.

SIA also today endorsed the WSTS Autumn 2013 global semiconductor sales forecast. WSTS projects the industry’s worldwide sales will reach $304.3 billion in 2013, which would be the industry’s highest-ever annual sales total and a 4.4 percent increase from the 2012 total. WSTS predicts year-over-year increases for 2013 in the Americas (10.3 percent), Asia Pacific (7.2 percent), and Europe (4.3 percent), but a sharp decline in Japan (-14.5 percent).

Beyond 2013, the industry is expected to grow steadily across all regions, according to the WSTS forecast. WSTS predicts 4.1 percent growth globally for 2014 ($316.6 billion in total sales) and 3.4 percent growth for 2015 ($327.3 billion). WSTS expects the wireless and automotive end markets to grow faster than the total market. 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.