Global chip sales rose 6.8 per cent sequentially during October, hitting $15.43 billion, the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics organisation (WSTS) has reported by way of the European Electronic Component Manufacturers Association (EECA).

The figures, reported by Silicon Strategies, show year-to-date sales up 16.4 per cent on 2002's full-year total, although a fraction of that increase is due to the inclusion of new products in the WSTS tally from September 2003 onwards.

During October, European chip sales reached $2.97 billion, WSTS said. The figure represents a 9.3 per cent increase over September's sales.

WSTS is forecasting 2003 total worldwide chip sales of around $161 billion, up 14.2 per cent on 2002's total. ®