Washington, DC. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $30.4 billion for the month of February 2017, an increase of 16.5% compared to the February 2016 total of $26.1 billion. Global sales in February were 0.8% lower than the January 2017 total of $30.6 billion, exceeding normal seasonal market performance. February marked the global market’s largest year-to-year growth since October 2010. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

“The global semiconductor industry has posted strong sales early in 2017, with memory products like DRAM and NAND flash leading the way,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Year-to-year sales increased by double digits across most regional markets, with the China and Americas markets showing particularly strong growth. Global market trends are favorable for continuing sales growth in the months ahead.”

Year-to-year sales increased across all regions: China (25.0%), the Americas (19.1%), Japan (11.9%), Asia Pacific/All Other (11.2%), and Europe (5.9%). Month-to-month sales increased modestly in Asia Pacific/All Other (0.5%) but decreased slightly elsewhere: Europe (-0.6%), Japan (-0.9%), China (-1.0%), and the Americas (-2.3%).

Neuffer also noted the recent growth of foreign semiconductor markets is a reminder of the importance of expanding U.S. semiconductor companies’ access to global markets, which is one of SIA’s policy priorities for 2017. The U.S. industry accounts for nearly half of the world’s total semiconductor sales, and more than 80% of U.S. semiconductor company sales are to overseas markets, helping make semiconductors one of America’s top exports.

To find out how to purchase the WSTS Subscription Package, which includes comprehensive monthly semiconductor sales data and detailed WSTS Forecasts, visit http://www.semiconductors.org/industry_statistics/wsts_subscription_package/.

For detailed data on the global and U.S. semiconductor industry and market, please consider purchasing the 2016 SIA Databook here: https://www.semiconductors.org/forms/sia_databook/.

# # #