January Chip Sales Up 47 Percent Year-Over-Year
The Semiconductor Industry Association’s prediction of healthy growth for chip demand in 2010 seems to be panning out. Though January is typically a weak month, global semiconductor sales rose slightly thanks to solid demand for personal computers, cellphones and other consumer electronics. Chip sales were up 0.3 percent in January from the previous month and up 47 percent year-over-year (see chart below; click to enlarge).
The chip industry’s Great Dark Times seem to be over.
“Worldwide semiconductor sales in January increased significantly compared to one year ago, reflecting today’s improving business environment for the industry,” SIA President George Scalise said in a statement. “January and February of 2009 were the low point of the industry downturn as the semiconductor industry and electronics manufacturers quickly responded to the global economic recession.”
Should the upward trend the SIA charted in January continue, the industry could see growth beyond its November forecast of $242.1 billion.