Worldwide semiconductor sales were up by 4.5% to $24.7bn in May 2010, compared to $23.6bn in April 2010, according to latest updates from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
Sales were 47.6% higher in May 2010, compared to $16.7bn in April 2009. The year-on-year growth rate declined slightly from the 50.4% reported in April. All monthly sales numbers represent a three-month moving average.
According to the SIA Global Sales Report, sales in Asia Pacific region rose by 50.9% to $13.51bn from $8.95bn in the same period last year, while sales in Japan rose by 34.7% to $3.72bn from $2.76bn. For Americas and Europe regions, sales rose by 52.9% and 43.8% to $4.27bn and $3.15bn, respectively.
Sales in all regions increased when compared to April 2010. Sales in Asia Pacific region were up by 5.0%, Americas by 8.2%, Europe by 1.7% and Japan up by 1.3%.
George Scalise, president of SIA, said: "Chip sales have been buoyed by strength in sales of personal computers, cell phones, corporate information technology, industrial applications, and autos. Unit sales of personal computers are now expected to grow by 20% this year and cell phone unit sales are predicted to be up 10 to 12% over 2009 levels. Emerging markets, including China and India, are fueling sales of computation and communications products.
"Important contributors to current growth of semiconductor sales include the worldwide adoption of 3G wireless communications and consequent investment in infrastructure and recovery of demand from the enterprise, automotive, and industrial sectors."
