SAN JOSE--Worldwide chip sales dropped 6.9% in February to $15.49 billion from $16.63 billion in January, according to new market statistics released today (April 3) by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
Compared to a year ago, February's chip sales were 5.8% higher than $14.64 billion in the same month during 2000, said the SIA here.
"The industry is continuing to experience lower sales due to an inventory overhang and macroeconomic factors," said SIA president George Scalise, referring to the severe chip recession plaguing nearly all segments of the business.
Compared to January, chip sales in February dropped in every major regional market.
The Americas registered the largest month-to-month decline, with semiconductor sales falling 7.3% to $4.75 billion in February, compared to $5.12 billion in January, based on a three-month moving average, said the SIA. Chip sales in the Americas grew 5.8% in February from $4.49 billion in the same month last year.
Asia Pacific semiconductor sales dropped 7.1% to $3.62 billion in February vs. $3.90 billion in January, said the SIA monthly report. Chip revenues in the Asia Pacific region were also down 3.0% from $3.74 billion in February 2000, the SIA report.
Japan's chip market declined 6.8% to $3.76 billion in February form $4.04 billion in January; however, Japan's semiconductor sales were up 15.1% on a year-to-year basis from $3.27 billion in February 2000, according to the SIA.
Europe's semiconductor sales fell 6.3% to $3.34 billion in February vs. $3.57 billion in January, the SIA said. Europe's February chip sales were 6.3% higher than $3.15 billion in the same month last year.
