IC growth in October strongest since 1990, says SIA
Silicon Strategies
12/01/2003, 1:15 PM ET
SAN JOSE--Worldwide sales of semiconductors rose to $15.4 billion in October 2003, a 6.8 percent increase from $14.4 billion in September, and a 23.3 percent rise from October of 2002, according to figures from the Semiconductor Industry Association today (December 1, 2003).
With the October 2003 gain, the strongest since 1990, industry revenue has grown 16.4 percent in the year to date. "October is always a strong month for our industry, but this exceeds historical norms," said SIA President George Scalise, in a statement. "This growth cycle is dynamic and broadly-based, drawing strength from all geographic markets, all product sectors and all end markets, especially computation, communications and global consumer," Scalise said.
"Revised third quarter U.S. GDP growth of 8.2 percent was driven by strong consumer spending of 6.4 percent and an upwardly revised increase of 18.4 percent in business spending on computers and software, providing additional evidence that business investment is now recovering," Scalise added.
PCs drove semiconductor growth in October, with DRAMS up 8.0 percent in the month and microprocessors up 6.6 percent. The wireless market also recorded rising demand and growth, reflecting renewed momentum in China's market, where some 5 million new cell phone subscribers are added each month.
In October, flash grew 12.7 percent and digital signal processors (DSPs) grew 9.3 percent, according to the SIA. Optoelectronics were up 5.2 percent in October and standard cells were up 6.3 percent, according to the SIA.
All geographic markets recorded rising chip sales in October, with Asia Pacific up 6.2 percent sequentially, Japan up 5.9 percent, Europe up 9.3 percent, and the Americas up 6.7 percent. The industry has forecast double-digit growth for both 2003 and 2004. |
