Worldwide semiconductor sales rose 6.8 percent last month, helped by higher demand for chips used in mobile phones and personal computer-related products, according to data from World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS).
Global chip sales rose to US$18.2 billion last month from a year earlier, the Brussels-based European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA) said yesterday, citing the WSTS numbers. Sales fell 1.2 percent from March, the group said.
European chip sales climbed 3 percent last month from a year earlier to US$3.3 billion, and sales in the first four months of the year gained 6.7 percent, the industry group said. That compares with worldwide growth of 11 percent in the first four months.
"Although growth rates remain on the decline, they are still on the positive side, indicating the possibility of small but positive growth at the end of the year," ESIA said in its statement, referring to the European market.
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