Chip sales grew in August

Global chip sales saw their first month-on-month increase of the year in August, rising 1.5 per cent, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. Total sales reached $9.81 billion in August, up from $9.66 billion in July. Breaking the rise down into territories, the increase represents a 3.4 per cent rise in the Americas, 0.7 per cent in Europe and 3.1 per cent Asia-Pacific. The Asian increase comes in spite of a 2.2 per cent fall in Japan, which is 30 per cent down on the country's August 1997 sales. Global sales were also down year-on-year, by 15.7 per cent, the Association said. European sales were down just two per cent on August 1997's figures. "Given all of the volatility in the global markets, these numbers are a positive sign for the semiconductor industry," said George Scalise, president of the Semiconductor Industry Association president. "We are cautiously optimistic about the industry's prospects for additional gains in the fourth quarter, because it's traditionally the most active chip quarter of the year." ® Click for more stories