KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 4): Global sales of semiconductors are projected to increase 5.1% in 2020 to US$433.1 billion (from US$412.3 billion in 2019), followed by an increase of 8.4% in 2021, said the U.S.-based  Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

Projections for both years are higher than they were in the previous World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) forecast released in July

In a statement on its website yesterday, SIA said global sales of semiconductors rose 6% year-on-year (y-o-y) to US$39.0 billion in October 2020, said the U.S.-based  Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

SIA said the figure was 3.1% higher than the September 2020 total of US$37.9 billion.

Monthly sales are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

SIA president and CEO  John Neuffer said global semiconductor sales in October increased year-to-year by the largest percentage since March, continuing to demonstrate the global semiconductor market’s resilience so far to headwinds caused by the pandemic and other macroeconomic factors.

“Annual semiconductor sales are projected to increase moderately in 2020, with somewhat larger growth forecasted for 2021,” he said.

SIA said regionally, sales increased on a year-to-year basis in the Americas (14.2%), China (6.3%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (5.3%), but decreased in Japan (-1.0%) and Europe (-4.8%).

On a month-to-month basis, sales increased across all regions: Europe (6.0%), the Americas (3.2%), China (2.9%), Asia Pacific/All Other (2.8%), and Japan (1.6%).