Global Semiconductor Sales Down 15.5% in 1Q19

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The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced worldwide sales of semiconductors totaled $96.8 billion during the first quarter of 2019, a decrease of 15.5% over the previous quarter and 13% less than the first quarter of 2018. Global sales for the month of March 2019 were $32.3 billion, a dip of 1.8% compared to the previous month’s total and 13% less than sales from March 2018. Monthly sales are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. SIA represents U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research.

“Global semiconductor sales slowed during the first quarter of 2019, falling short of the previous quarter and Q1 of last year by double-digit percentages,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Sales in March decreased on a year-to-year basis across all major regional markets and semiconductor product categories, consistent with the cyclical trend the global market has experienced recently.”

Regionally, sales increased slightly on a month-to-month basis in China (1.3%) and Europe (0.6%), but decreased in Asia Pacific/All Other (-1.9%), Japan (-4.5%), and the Americas (-6.7%). On a year-to-year basis, sales were down across all regional markets: Europe (-6.8%), Asia Pacific/All Other (-9.3%), China (-9.4%), Japan (-11.1%), and the Americas (-26.6%).

“To help foster growth and innovation in the semiconductor industry and ensure continued U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology, policymakers in Washington should enact measures that invest in scientific research, attract and retain a top technology workforce, and ensure open markets and strong protection of intellectual property,” Neuffer said. “These are the core recommendations of SIA’s recent report Winning the Future: A Blueprint for Sustained U.S. Leadership in Semiconductor Technology.”