The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, today announced worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $26.0 billion for the month of May 2016, an increase of 0.4 percent compared to the previous month’s total of $25.9 billion, but a decrease of 7.7 percent compared to the May 2015 total of $28.1 billion. Month-to-month sales into all regional markets held relatively steady, with China leading the way with 3.1 percent market growth. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

“The small uptick in global semiconductor sales in May marked the market’s largest month-to-month growth in six months, but the overall landscape remains somewhat stagnant due to soft demand and unfavorable macroeconomic conditions,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Most regional markets have struggled to gain traction in 2016, with the Americas falling well behind sales posted through the same point last year. Sales of analog products were a bright spot in May, notching both month-to-month and year-to-year increases.”

Regionally, month-to-month sales increased in China (3.1 percent), but slipped slightly in the Americas (-0.1 percent), Europe(-0.8 percent), Asia Pacific/All Other (-0.8 percent), and Japan (-1.8 percent). Year-to-year sales increased marginally in Japan(0.4 percent), but dropped in China (-0.5 percent), Europe (-8.8 percent), Asia Pacific/All Other (-11.5 percent), and the Americas (-15.0 percent).