Mar 2 2009
Worldwide sales of semiconductors were $15.3 billion in January, a decline of 28.6 percent compared to January 2008 sales of $21.5 billion, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported today. Sales declined by 11.9 percent from December 2008 when sales were $17.4 billion.
“Worldwide semiconductor sales in January, historically a relatively weak month for the industry, reflected a continuing erosion of consumer confidence and the effects of the global economic recession,” said SIA President George Scalise. “Sales declined across the entire range of semiconductor products, as sales of important demand drivers such as personal computers, cell phones, automobiles and consumer items remained under pressure.
“Inventory levels are very low and there are some signs that forward visibility is improving,” Scalise concluded.
SIA said the Economic Recovery Act recently passed by the Congress and signed by President Obama and measures adopted in other countries have the potential to drive future demand for semiconductors while addressing important issues such as energy, health care, and infrastructure improvements.