Global chip grew 37 percent year-on-year to $25.2 billion in July

Global sales of semiconductors grew 37 per cent year-on-year to $25.2 billion in July, despite growing indications of slower growth in the overall economy worldwide, said the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) yesterday.

The San Jose, California-based SIA said that July sales were an increase of 1.2 per cent from June when sales were $24.9 billion and an increase of 37 per cent from July 2009 when sales were $18.4 billion.

Year to date sales total $169.2 billion, an increase of 46.7 per cent from the $115.3 billion reported for the first seven months of 2009.

''Worldwide sales of semiconductors were strong in July despite growing indications of slower growth in the overall economy,'' said SIA president Brian Toohey.

''The continued proliferation of semiconductors into a broad range of products provides opportunities for industry expansion even in a period of slower overall economic growth,'' he added.

Although recent public statements from a number of major manufacturers have emphasized limited visibility for the near-term, the SIA said that it continues to expect that industry growth for 2010 will be in line with its mid-year forecast of 28.4 per cent.

Late last week, Intel Corp, whose microprocessors are used in nearly 80 per cent of the world's PCs, lowered its revenue forecast for the third quarter citing weaker-than-expected demand for consumer PCs.

Intel, forecasted revenue of $10.8 billion to $11.2 billion for July-September period, down from its earlier revenue forecast of $11.2 billion to $12 billion.