Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Cymer (CYMI) NEWS ONLY! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nick Michell who wrote (503)	5/7/1998 4:29:00 PM
From: Greg Jung	Respond to of 582

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.