Semiconductor sales slide

Semiconductor sales have crashed in the last year according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)

The SIA reported that sales in January fell 28.8 per cent compared to January last year. This follows a dismal December where sales fell 11.9 per cent on the year.

“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.

Sales fell fastest in Europe, which saw falls of over a third. Japan was the best performing region, with sales down 21.2 per cent.