Global chip sales dip in March to $10.42 bln
Thursday May 7, 2:59 pm Eastern Time
Global chip sales dip in March to $10.42 bln
SAN JOSE, Calif., May 7 (Reuters) - Global chip sales for March dropped almost one percent to $10.42 billion from $10.525 billion in February, the Semiconductor Industry Association said on Thursday.
March sales were down 4.9 percent from March 1997 sales of $10.967 billion. The SIA said in a statement the lower sales reflected an overcapacity of memory chips and depressed pricing.
''The chip industry is cyclical; however, the long-term trend is one of impressive growth,'' said SIA President George Scalise. ''We have enjoyed a 17-percent compound annual growth rate from 1959 through 1997. Likewise, we're optimistic that sales will return to historical growth patterns in 1999 as unit demand continues to increase, and supply and demand come into better balance.''
Sales in Europe and Asia-Pacific rose 0.4 and 0.7 percent, respectively, between February and March while sales fell in Japan by 0.1 percent and in the Americas by 3.4 percent.
Compared to March 1997, sales in Europe and Asia-Pacific rose 2.9 and 0.3 percent, respectively. In the Americas and Japan, sales declined 7.2 and 13.5 percent, respectively.
March 1998 Global Sales Report
Month-to-Month Sales
Market February 1998 March 1998 % Change
Americas 3.537 3.416 -3.4 %
Europe 2.432 2.443 0.4
Japan 2.240 2.237 -0.1
Asia Pacific 2.316 2.333 0.7
Total $10.525 $10.429 -0.9 %
Billion Billion
Year-to-Year Monthly Sales
Market March 1997 March 1998 % Change
Americas 3.680 3.416 -7.2 %
Europe 2.375 2.443 2.9
Japan 2.587 2.237 -13.5
Asia Pacific 2.325 2.333 0.3
Total $10.967 $10.429 -4.9 %
Billion Billion
Rolling
Three-Month Average Sales
Market Oct/Nov/Dec Jan/Feb/March % Change
Americas 3.803 3.416 -10.1
Europe 2.568 2.443 -4.8
Japan 2.528 2.237 -11.5
Asia Pacific 2.584 2.333 -9.7
Total $11.483 $10.429 -9.1 %
Billion Billion
NOTE: Some numbers may not add due to rounding.
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