Global Semiconductor Sales Dip Slightly in February

Sales decrease 3.2 percent month-to-month and 6.2 percent year-to-year

WASHINGTON—April 4, 2016—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, today announced worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $26.0 billion for the month of February 2016, a decrease of 3.2 percent compared to the previous month’s total of $26.9 billion and 6.2 percent lower than the February 2015 total of $27.7 billion. Sales into the Americas fell sharply, decreasing 19.3 percent year-to-year, while year-to-year sales into China increased 3.5 percent. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

“Global semiconductor sales slipped somewhat in February, due to normal seasonal trends, demand softening, and unfavorable macroeconomic conditions,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Most regional markets have struggled to overcome these headwinds, and sales have dipped across the majority of semiconductor product categories.”

Regionally, sales decreased nearly across the board: China (-4.6 percent month-to-month/+3.5 percent year-to-year), Europe (-0.9 percent/-6.3 percent), Japan (-0.8 percent/-3.5 percent), Asia Pacific/All Other (-0.7 percent/-6.3 percent), and the Americas (-7.0 percent/-19.3 percent).

Sales also decreased across most major semiconductor product categories, with the notable exception of microprocessors, which increased year-to-year by 3.4 percent.

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 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 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 2015, U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $166 billion, and semiconductors make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research 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.