Global chip sales increase 1.8 per cent in August

The semiconductor industry continues to show signs of recovery despite a slowing economy as global chip sales rose to $25.7 billion, an increase of 1.8 per cent in August from a month earlier, the sixth consecutive month of sequential growth.

Releasing its report for August, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) said that worldwide semiconductor sales in August were $25.7 billion, an increase of 1.8 per cent from July when sales were $25.2 billion. 

Sales increased by 32.6 per cent from August 2009 when sales were $19.4 billion. Sales for the first eight months of 2010 were $194.6 billion compared to $134.7 billion for the same period in 2009, an increase of 44.4 per cent.

Similar to last month, the momentum of the global chip industry was fuelled by sales in personal computers and wireless products from China and India.

''Semiconductor sales have been strong with August marking the sixth consecutive month of sequential growth,'' said SIA president Brian Toohey. ''PC and wireless related products along with infrastructure expansion in emerging markets, particularly in China and India, continue to drive sales.''

''Concerns about economic conditions in the US and Europe, coupled with seasonal patterns, bear close monitoring. We remain confident in our $290.5 billion forecast, which represents 28.4 per cent annual growth for 2010,'' added Toohey.