Online information source for semiconductor professionals

Traditionally a weak month, February, 2010 IC sales reached US$22.0 billion, down only 1.3% from January when sales were US$22.3 billion, according to the latest figures from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). February sales grew by 56.2% from February 2009 when sales were only US$14.1 billion. The SIA noted that there was now a likely upward revision to its previous forecast for the year as sales remained strong as the global economic recovery continued.

“The February sales numbers reflect continued recovery of sales of semiconductors, with demand principally driven by growth in sales of electronic products in emerging economies,” said SIA President George Scalise. “Unit sales of the two leading demand drivers for semiconductors – personal computers and cell phones – are now projected to grow in the low- to mid-teens in 2010. While the 56 percent year-on-year growth reflected in the February sales number is encouraging, it is important to note that January and February of 2009 marked the low point for the semiconductor industry during the worldwide economic downturn.”

Asia-Pacific has recovered the fastest with growth of 78.6% compared to a year ago. North America has posted growth of 47.8% and Europe and Japan by 36.5% and 23.7% respectively.