October's averaged chip sales beat expectations

LONDON — The three-month average of global sales of semiconductors rose to $21.7 billion in October, ahead of expectations, up a 5.1 percent from September and down 3.5 percent from October 2008, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. 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.

Sales for the first 10 months of 2009 were $180.0 billion, a decline of 16.6 percent from the like period of 2008 when sales were $215.8 billion.

"October is historically a strong month for the semiconductor industry as electronic equipment manufacturers' ramp production for the holiday season. Inventory management throughout the supply chain has been very tight, and this may extend the fourth-quarter build season by a few weeks," said George Scalise, president of the SIA.

"As Semiconductor sales are increasingly driven by the performance of the overall global economy our sales are reflecting the improved economic conditions in our world markets. Sales increased sequentially in all geographic regions," Scalise concluded.

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