The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has said that global sales of semiconductors were $25.1 billion for the  of November 2011,  a drop of 2.4 per cent from the prior month when sales were $25.7 billion. On a year-to-date basis, worldwide semiconductor sales are 0.8% higher compared to the same period last year. All monthly sales numbers represent a three-month moving average. 

“Supply chain disruptions resulting from the floods in Thailand have impacted semiconductor sales in the near term, however Original Equipment Manufacturers are expected to recover production losses over the course of the next few months. November sales were additionally affected by the continuing European financial crisis which is having a broad impact on other economies and global demand,” said Brian Toohey, president, Semiconductor Industry Association. 

Despite the near term supply chain and global economic challenges, the industry is still poised to close 2011 with growth and looks towards 2012 for further improvement.

The SIA had in December endorsed the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization’s Autumn 2011 global semiconductor sales forecast which has projected semiconductor sales to grow to $302 Billion for 2011, reaching the $300 Billion mark for the first time and representing a 1.3 percent growth rate over the record-breaking year in 2010. Worldwide sales for October 2011 remained essentially flat at $25.7 billion, a 0.1 percent decrease from prior month’s sales of $25.8 billion. All monthly sales numbers represent a three-month moving average.