Steady and modest growth mark May 2011 sales for semiconductor industry

WASHINGTON, USA: The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing US leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors were $25 billion for the month of May 2011, a 1.8 percent increase from the prior month when sales were $24.6 billion and a 1.3 percent growth from May 2010. All monthly sales numbers represent a three-month moving average.

"Taking into consideration macroeconomic factors impacting consumer confidence, the steady but modest growth that the industry demonstrated in May is encouraging," said Brian Toohey, president, Semiconductor Industry Association. "Global demand for high-end electronics, the continuing proliferation of semiconductor technology into a wider range of products, growth in emerging economies and better than expected recovery from the Japan earthquake will be continued drivers of industry growth in 2011."

The industry continues to see demand for tablets and e-readers grow, as well as increased demand for industrial processors that enable devices to harness renewable energy like solar panels and e-meters. Additionally, the industry has seen strong demand for electronic systems included across all ranges of vehicles.

Economic uncertainty in the US and abroad bears close watching, while further opportunities for semiconductor sales growth will be concentrated in emerging markets like China and India. Year-to-date results are in line with projections recently reported in the Spring Semiconductor Sales Forecast from WSTS that indicate global industry sales will increase 5.4 percent for 2011, 7.6 percent in 2012 and 5.4 percent in 2013, with a three-year CAGR of 6.13 percent from 2010 to 2013.Source: SIA, USA.