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Chip Sales Fell 12.8 Percent In
May
(07/01/98; 1:02 p.m. ET)
By Margaret Ryan, EE Times
Worldwide sales of semiconductors fell 12.8 percent in
May from the year-ago period, according to world
trade semiconductor statistics information that appeared
on the Semiconductor Industry Association's (SIA)
website.
Global chip sales totaled $9.9 billion in May, down
significantly from $11.4 billion in May 1997, according
to the statistics. Sales were also down 3.9 percent from
April's $10.38 billion total.
The SIA declined comment on the lower sales until the
official release of the statistics, scheduled for 10 a.m.
PDT July 1.
Sales in May were down in each of the world's
geographic markets. Japan saw the biggest drop of
about 19.3 percent, from $2.63 billion in May '97 to
$2.12 billion this past May. Industry sources said
Japan's recession has slowed the sale of chips, PCs,
and consumer electronics, and pointed to the yen's
lower value in comparison with the dollar.
The Americas market posted the second largest decline
of 17.93 percent, falling from $3.9 billion in May '97 to
$3.2 billion in the recent May.
Chip sales in the Asia-Pacific region fell 7.58 percent
year to year, while Europe's sales fell 2.47 over the
same period.
Separately, financial sources said Thomas Kurlak,
semiconductor analyst for Merrill Lynch, has restated
his dour outlook for semiconductor stocks. Kurlak said
he now expects a 10 percent drop in worldwide chip
sales from 1997, and expects the Philadelphia Stock
Index, which tracks semiconductor stocks, to drop
from its current level of 250 to below 200. Kurlak was
quoted as saying Europe will be the next market to
experience a slowdown in chip sales |
