Worldwide semiconductor sales rose 6% to $83.1 billion in the first quarter compared to the first quarter of 2014, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
Chip sales in March totalled $27.7 billion, up 6% from $26.1 billion in March 2014, the trade group said.
“Despite macroeconomic challenges, first quarter global semiconductor sales were higher than they were last year, which was a record year for semiconductor revenue," says John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. He notes that the Americas region posted its sixth straight month of double-digit, year-to-year growth to lead all regional markets.
March sales were up 14.2% year-to-year in the Americas, 13.3% in China, and 3.8% in Asia Pacific, but decreased 4% in Europe and 9.6% in Japan.
Compared to February 2015, chip sales in March rose by 3.1% in Asia Pacific, 2.7% in Europe and 1% in China, but declined 6.9% in the Americas and 0.4% in Japan. Neuffer says DRAM and analog products continue to be “key drivers of global sales growth."
All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) and represent a three-month moving average.
In announcing sales figures for March, Neuffer again called for the United States Congress to enact legislation that he says would boost free trade and benefit the semiconductor industry.
“Congress is considering a legislative initiative called Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) that would help promote continued growth in the semiconductor sector and throughout the U.S. economy," Neuffer says. He adds that free trade is vital to the U.S. semiconductor industry and that TPA would “pave the way for free trade."
If enacted, TPA legislation would give the president of the United States the authority to negotiate international trade agreements that Congress could not change or filibuster, although it could either approve or disapprove the agreements.
Neuffer says TPA legislation will help the United States finalize key trade agreements that will lower tariffs and boost U.S. exports.
Questions or comments on this story? Contact dylan.mcgrath@ihs.com
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