Global Semiconductor Sales Increase for Sixth Straight Month in August

Sales in Americas increase by 23.3 percent compared to last August

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Oct. 4, 2013—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $25.87 billion for the month of August 2013, an increase of 6.4 percent compared to August 2012, marking the industry’s largest year-over-year growth since March 2011. Sales in the Americas increased by 23.3 percent compared to August 2012, while global sales in August were 1.3 percent higher than the previous month’s total of $25.53 billion. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. 

“Global semiconductor sales have now increased for six consecutive months, and the industry is well ahead of last year’s pace, thanks largely to sustained growth in the Americas,” said Brian Toohey, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Strong demand for memory products has driven sales in recent months, but sales were also up in August among non-memory products, demonstrating the breadth of the semiconductor market’s strength.” 

Regionally, August sales topped sales from the same month last year in the Americas (23.3 percent), Asia Pacific (7.6 percent), and Europe (5 percent), but decreased in Japan (-16.4 percent), in large part because of the devaluation of the Japanese yen. Sales in August were up across all regions compared to the previous month.    

“Semiconductor sales have demonstrated increasing momentum in recent months, thanks in part to stabilizing macroeconomic conditions, but this week’s government shutdown and a looming debate over the nation’s debt limit threaten to destabilize the economy and disrupt growth,” said Toohey. “Congress and the Administration should work together to avoid these self-inflicted wounds and get America’s fiscal house in order.” 

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/.  

About the 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.