March Chip Sales Up 4.6% Vs. Feb.; Up 58.3% From Year Ago

Worldwide semiconductor sales were $23.1 billion in March, up 4.6% from February and up 58.3% from a year ago, according to new data from the Semiconductor Industry Association. Q1 2009 was the low point in semiconductor sales during the recession, the SIA notes.

SIA President George Scalise notes that this was the second-best month ever for chip sales, trailing only November 2007, a result of both healthy end market demand and inventory restocking.

Scalise notes that year-over-year growth rates are likely to moderate from here, given the industry recovery that began in the 2009 second half.

While he noted that foundries and device makers are ramping production to bring supply into line with expected demand, Scalise said the SIA does not expect to see near-term issues with excess inventories or capacity due to strong unit demand in key end markets.