Global semiconductor sales down 5.7% YoY in January

"Global semiconductor sales got off to a slow start in 2019, as year-to-year sales decreased in January for the first time since July 2016 and month-to-month sales were down across all major product categories and regional markets," says John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. "Following record sales over the last three years, reaching $469 billion in 2018, it seems clear the global market is experiencing a period of slower sales. The long-term outlook remains promising, however, due to the ever-increasing semiconductor content in a range of consumer products and future growth drivers such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, the Internet of Things, and 5G and next-generation communications networks," Neuffer continues. Regionally, year-to-year sales increased slightly in Europe (0.2%), but fell in the Americas (-15.3%), Asia Pacific/All Other (-3.8%), China (-3.2%), and Japan (-1.5%). Compared to last month, sales were down across all regional markets: Europe (-1.5%), Asia Pacific/All Other (-3.6%), Japan (-4.7%), China (-8.5%), and the Americas (-13.0%).