MaSSSoftech

LONDON — The three-month average of global sales of semiconductors rose to $18.15 billion in July, up 5.3 percent from $17.24 billion in June. July sales were down 18.2 percent from $22.19 billion in July 2008, but were ahead of expectations.

The figures are based on statistics gathered by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average of chip shipments.

The fifth-consecutive month of sequential increases in semiconductor sales reflects improving demand in the consumer sector, said George Scalise, president of the SIA, in a statement. Sales of consumer products such as netbook PCs and cell phones are supporting the modest recovery in demand that is now under way. Purchases of Information Technology products by the enterprise sector continue to be tempered by caution and longer replacement cycles. There is also evidence of a return to seasonal industry patterns, Scalise concluded.

Some of the strongest signs of recovery are coming from the Americas region were July's averaged chip sales at $3.08 billion were only 8.0 percent down on where they were in July 2008. In contrast the European region achieved three-month average chip sales of $2.32 billion down 31.7 percent on the same figure a year before.

The Asia-Pacific region is the most significant and with July averaged sales of $9.54 billion was down 15.9 percent on the same figure a year before.