SAN JOSE, Calif.-Semiconductor sales increased by less than 1 percent in North and South America and in Asia-Pacific markets in December, while sales declined 2 percent in Europe and Japan, according to research conducted by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics organization. The results of the research were published in the Semiconductor Industry Association’s Global Billings Report.
In the Americas, billings were up slightly in December, from $3.52 billion in November to $3.53 billion. However, that figure represents a 21.3 percent decline from 1995 when sales reached $4.5 billion. Billings in Asia-Pacific were $2.34 billion, up slightly from November’s totals of $2.32 billion, but 11.3 percent below December 1995 totals of $2.64 billion.
Billings in the European market dropped 2.5 percent from $2.39 billion in November to $2.33 billion in December, and 9.5 percent from December 1995 billings of $2.57 billion. Similarly, Japan’s billings were $2.79 billion, 2.2 percent less than November billings of $2.85 billion. December’s billings also dropped 19.7 percent from December 1995 sales of $3.47 billion.
Total billings for 1996 were $132 billion worldwide, an 8.6 percent decrease from 1995’s total billings of $144 billion.
“Chip sales remained relatively flat in December for all four markets,” said Doug Andrey, director of information systems and finance for SIA. “However we still expect 1997 to be a growth year for the chip industry.” He added a WSTS forecast projects 7 percent growth in global revenues this year.
