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Worldwide sales of semiconductors reached US$27.6 billion for the month of April 2015, 4.8% higher than the April 2014 total of US$26.3 billion but 0.4% lower than last month's total of US$27.7 billion, according to SIA. The Americas market posted double-digit growth compared to last year, leading all regions.
"Year-to-year semiconductor sales increased for the 24th straight month in April, thanks largely to continued growth in the Americas and Asia Pacific regional markets," said John Neuffer, president and CEO of SIA. "The global industry has posted higher sales through April than at the same point in 2014, and we expect continued growth for the rest of 2015 and beyond."
Regionally, year-to-year sales increased in the Americas (12.2%), China (9.9%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (5.2%), but decreased in Europe (negative 5.6%) and Japan (negative 10.7%). Compared to the preivous month, sales were up in the Asia Pacific/All Other (2.3%) category, but down in Japan (negtive 0.2%), China (negative 0.7%), Europe (negative 2.3%), and the Americas (negtive 3.4%).
Additionally, SIA has endorsed WSTS' (World Semiconductor Trade Statistics) Spring 2015 global semiconductor sales forecast, which projects the industry's worldwide sales will reach US$347.2 billion in 2015, a 3.4% increase from the 2014 sales total. WSTS projects year-to-year increases for 2015 in Asia Pacific (7.0%) and the Americas (3.7%), with decreases projected for Europe (negative 3.6%) and Japan (negative 9.5%).
Beyond 2015, the industry is expected to grow at a modest pace across all regions. WSTS forecasts 3.4% growth globally for 2016 (US$358.9 billion in total sales) and 3.0% growth for 2017 (US$369.6 billion).