Slight Uptick for Global Semiconductor Sales in April; Moderate Growth Projected for 2013 and 2014

Year-to-date sales remain narrowly ahead of last year’s pace; WSTS forecast projects growth of 2.1 percent in 2013 and 5.1 percent in 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C.—June 5, 2013—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $23.62 billion for the month of April 2013, a 0.6 percent increase from the previous month when sales were $23.48 billion, but down slightly from the April 2012 total of 24.06 billion. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. Additionally, a new WSTS industry forecast projects moderate growth for the remainder of 2013 and 2014.  

“With modest but steady gains in semiconductor sales in recent months and stronger growth projected for the remainder of this year and 2014, the global semiconductor industry is heading in the right direction as summer approaches, despite a stubbornly sluggish macroeconomic environment,” said Brian Toohey, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Industry sales continue to narrowly outpace 2012 totals thanks largely to strong demand for memory and logic products, and we expect to expand this growth as the year progresses. Congress and the Administration can help enable the industry to take the next step forward by enacting policies that promote growth and innovation.”         

Regionally, sequential monthly sales increased in Asia Pacific (2 percent), but decreased in the Americas (-0.6 percent), Europe (-0.6 percent) and Japan (-2.9 percent). Compared to April 2012, sales increased in Asia Pacific (3 percent) and Europe (0.4 percent), but fell in the Americas (-4.4 percent) and Japan (-19.4 percent), in part due to the devaluation of the Japanese yen.  

Additionally, SIA today endorsed the WSTS Spring 2013 global semiconductor sales forecast, which projects the industry’s worldwide sales will reach $297.8 billion in 2013, a 2.1 percent increase from the 2012 sales total. WSTS predicts year-over-year increases for 2013 in Asia Pacific (5.7 percent), Europe (5.3 percent) and the Americas (1.6 percent), but a sharp decline in Japan (-13.8 percent).

Beyond 2013, the industry is expected to grow steadily and moderately across all regions, according to the WSTS forecast. WSTS predicts 5.1 percent growth globally for 2014 ($312.9 billion in total sales) and 3.8 percent growth for 2015 ($324.9 billion). WSTS tabulates its semi-annual industry forecast by convening an extensive group of global semiconductor companies that provide accurate and timely indicators of semiconductor trends. 

To find out how to purchase the WSTS Subscription Package, which includes comprehensive monthly semiconductor sales data and detailed WSTS Forecasts, please visit http://www.semiconductors.org/industry_statistics/wsts_subscription_package/.  

April 2013 chart and graph

WSTS Spring Forecast Summary 

About SIA

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, one of America's top export industries and a key driver of America’s economic strength, national security and global competitiveness. Semiconductors – microchips that control all modern electronics – enable the systems and products that we use to work, communicate, travel, entertain, harness energy, treat illness, and make new scientific discoveries. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.S. In 2012, U.S. semiconductor sales totaled more than $146 billion, and semiconductors make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. Founded in 1977 by five microelectronics pioneers, SIA unites companies that account for 80 percent of America’s semiconductor production. Through this coalition, SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor design and manufacturing by working with Congress, the Administration and other key industry stakeholders to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org. 

About WSTS

World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) is an independent non-profit organization representing the vast majority of the world semiconductor industry. The mission of WSTS is to be the respected source of semiconductor market data and forecasts. Founded in 1986, WSTS is the singular source for monthly industry shipment statistics.