Worldwide sales of semiconductors reached US$24.28 billion for June 2012, down a slight 0.1% on month, according to the SIA. Sales, however, were 2% lower than the US$24.89 billion posted a year ago.
"The year-over-year decrease was smaller than it has been since October 2011," SIA noted.
Regionally, semiconductor sales increased on a sequential monthly basis in Japan (2%) and Asia Pacific (0.6%), but declined in Europe (minus 0.7%) and the Americas (minus 3.6%), SIA revealed. Compared to June 2011, sales increased in Japan (3.7%) and Asia Pacific (1%), but fell steeply in the Americas (minus 8.1%) and Europe (minus 12.1%). Japan and Asia Pacific attained month-over-month and year-over-year growth simultaneously for the first time since September 2010, SIA said.
"The semiconductor industry continues to navigate the turbulent global economy better than most sectors, but macroeconomic uncertainties are limiting overall recovery and growth. The Japan and Asia Pacific sequential increases are encouraging signs, but are tempered by continued weakness in Europe and the Americas," said Brian Toohey, president and CEO for SIA.
Article translated by Jessie Shen
