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Worldwide semiconductor sales slumped 7.2% in November 2008, compared to October 2008 with sales reaching US$20.8 billion, compared to US$22.4 billion in October 2008. On a Y-on-Y basis, IC sales declined by 9.8%. Sales for the first 11 months of 2008 were reported by the SIA as reaching $232.7 billion, an increase of 0.2 percent from the first 11 months of 2007 when sales were $232.2 billion. The SIA noted that when memory devices were excluded from the figures, IC sales actually increased by 5.6% compared to the same period a year ago.

However, it is becoming increasingly likely that December sales will be below November’s level, resulting in an overall industry decline in sales for 2008.

“The worldwide economic crisis is having an impact on demand for semiconductors, but to a lesser degree than some other major industry sectors.  We expect the industry will remain the second largest exporter in the U.S. for 2008” said SIA President George Scalise.  “Not all segments of the industry are being affected equally by the downturn.  The memory market which has been under severe price pressure throughout the year has seen sales decline significantly while many other product sectors have year to date sales above 2007 levels.”

All reported regions are now showing declines on a Month-on-Month and Year-on-Year basis. The Americas have declined the most on a Y-on-Y basis with a -19.5% decline. Asia-Pacific has shown the smallest Y-on-Y decline (-9.9%) of the major regions but is now indicating the largest fall of -9.3% on a M-on-M basis in November, 2008.