The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $26.86 billion for the month of May 2014, 8.8 percent higher than the May 2013 total of $24.69 billion and 2.0 percent more than last month's total of $26.34 billion.
Sales in the Americas increased 10.6 percent year-over-year in May, marking the region's twelfth consecutive month of double-digit growth. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.
"The global semiconductor market posted healthy growth throughout all regions in May, led by continued strength in the Americas," said Brian Toohey, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. "Year-over-year sales increased across nearly all semiconductor product categories, with DRAM and analog products leading the way. Overall, the global market has posted growth each month for over a year, and sales are expected to increase for the foreseeable future."
Year-over-year and month-over-month sales increased across all regions for the first time since August 2010. Sequential monthly sales were up 2.1 percent in Asia Pacific, 2.1 percent in Europe, 1.8 percent in the Americas, and 1.6 percent in Japan. Compared to May 2013, sales increased in the Americas (10.6 percent), Europe (10.1 percent), Asia Pacific (8.6 percent), and Japan (5.3 percent). Japan posted three straight months of year-to-year growth for the first time in nearly two years.