Global Semiconductor Sales Increase in January Year-over-Year

Americas post best January of last decade; global sales down slightly compared to December

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- March 4, 2013 -- The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $24.05 billion for the month of January 2013, an increase of 3.8 percent from January 2012 when sales were $23.16 billion. Global sales from January 2013 were 2.8 percent lower than the December 2012 total of $24.74 billion, reflecting normal seasonal trends. Regionally, the Americas posted its highest sales total of any January in the last decade. All monthly sales numbers represent a three-month moving average.

“Led by continuing strength in the Americas, the global semiconductor industry has built on its momentum from the end of 2012 with an encouraging start to 2013, but ongoing economic uncertainty is holding back more robust growth,” said Brian Toohey, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “The across-the-board spending cuts that hit last week and the threat of a government shutdown later this month are just the latest examples of fiscal disruptions that sidetrack economic growth. Congress and the Administration must work together to get our country’s fiscal house in order to restore confidence in the U.S. economy and spur growth.”

Regionally, year-over-year sales increased in the Americas (10.5 percent) and Asia Pacific (7.8 percent), but decreased in Europe (-4.9 percent) and Japan (-12.3 percent). Sales increased modestly in Europe (0.4 percent) compared to the previous month, but decreased in Asia Pacific (-2.5 percent), the Americas (-3.5 percent) and Japan (-5.5 percent). January sales historically are lower than December sales due to seasonal trends.

About the 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 that 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 2012, U.S. semiconductor sales totaled more than $146 billion, and semiconductors make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. Founded in 1977 by five microelectronics pioneers, SIA unites companies that account for 80 percent of America’s semiconductor production. Through this coalition, SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor design and manufacturing 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.sia-online.org.