KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 2): Global semiconductor sales for the month of September 2023 fell 4.5% year-on-year to US$134.7 billion (RM640.5 billion), according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

In a statement on Wednesday, the group said the figure was 1.9% higher month-on-month.

Meanwhile, SIA said worldwide sales during the third quarter of 2023 rose 6.3% compared to the second quarter of 2023 and down 4.5% compared to the third quarter of 2022.

Monthly sales are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) and represent a three-month moving average.

SIA president and CEO John Neuffer said global semiconductor sales increased on a month-to-month basis for the seventh consecutive time in September, reinforcing the positive momentum the chip market has experienced during the middle part of this year.

“The long-term outlook for semiconductor demand remains strong, with chips enabling countless products the world depends on and giving rise to new, transformative technologies of the future.”

SIA said that regionally, month-to-month sales increased in Asia-Pacific/All Other (3.4%), Europe (3.0%), the Americas (2.4%) and China (0.5%), but decreased slightly in Japan (-0.2%).

Year-to-year sales increased in Europe (6.7%), but decreased in the Americas (-2.0%), Japan (-3.6%), Asia Pacific/All Other (-5.6%) and China (-9.4%).