After three months of positive electronic component sales sentiment, U.S. tariffs on every country and a crippling triple-digit tariff trade war between the U.S. and China has erased any positive momentum in sales sentiment, according to the April Electronic Component Sales Trends (ECST) survey from the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA).
Electronic component vendors are now dedicated to navigating a complex tariff environment from wreaking havoc on the supply chain, ECIA said.
In April, the overall electronic component average index score collapsed by 18.8 points compared to March, sending it down to 94.7 points, about 16.6 points below expectations. Worse yet, the slide is expected to continue into May with a further drop of 11 points down to 83.7 points, which may be its lowest point since December of 2023.
A sales sentiment score of 100 points or more represents growth.
Every segment falls
According to the ECIA, every product segment fell by more than 16 points with semiconductors and passive components dropping by more than 18 points. Electro-mechanical/connector components had a steep drop but still managed a 106.9 score in April.
Both sectors are projected to decline another 16.2 points in May.
Positive resolution
ECIA said despite a positive start to 2025, it will require a positive resolution to the tariffs to get back on track. While tariff agreements with the U.K. and a pause in tariffs with China may help the sales sentiment in May, it is unlikely.
About the ECIA ECST report
The ECST survey provides highly valuable and detailed visibility on industry expectations in the near-term through the monthly and quarterly surveys. This “immediate” perspective is helpful to participants up and down the electronics components supply chain. In the long-term, ECIA shares in the optimism for the future as the continued introduction and market adoption of exciting innovative technologies should motivate both corporate and consumer demand for next-generation products over the long term.
The complete ECIA ECST report is delivered to all ECIA members as well as others who participate in the survey. All participants in the electronics components supply chain are invited and encouraged to participate in the report so they can see the highly valuable insights provided by the ECST report.
The monthly and quarterly ECST reports present data in detailed tables and figures with multiple perspectives and covering current sales expectations, sales outlooks, product cancellations, product decommits and product lead times. The data is presented at a detailed level for six major electronic component categories, six semiconductor subcategories and eight end markets. Also, survey results are segmented by aggregated responses from manufacturers, distributors and manufacturer representatives.
Interested in reading the entire ECST report? Click here for more information.
