KUALA LUMPUR (March 5): Global semiconductor industry sales rose 15.2% year-on-year to US$47.6 billion (RM224.91 billion) in January from US$41.3 billion a year earlier, according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

In a statement on Monday, SIA said the figure was 2.1% lower month-on-month from US$48.7 billion in December.

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

SIA president and chief executive officer John Neuffer said the global semiconductor market started the new year strong, with worldwide sales increasing year-to-year by the largest percentage since May 2022.

“Market growth is projected to continue over the remainder of the year, with annual sales forecast to increase by double-digits in 2024 compared to 2023,” he said.

SIA said that regionally, year-to-year sales were up in China (26.6%), the Americas (20.3%), and Asia Pacific/All other (12.8%), but down in Japan (-6.4%) and Europe (-1.4%).

It said month-to-month sales were down across all markets: Asia Pacific/All Other (-1.4%), the Americas (-1.5%), China (-2.5%), Europe (-2.8%), and Japan (-3.9%).