Semiconductor decline may be moderating

Global semiconductor sales declined again in February, down 30.4 per cent year-on-year to US$14.2 billion, but there is some indication the rate of decline is moderating from the fourth quarter of last year, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

"The global semiconductor industry is going through one of the steepest corrections in its history," said George Scalise, SIA president.

"While it would be premature to conclude that the sales decline has hit bottom, there are some indications that the rate of decline has moderated from last year's final quarter," he said. Sales declined by 7.6 per cent from January's US$15.3 billion.

The SIA's most recent surveys show that the industry responded quickly to the changing market environment by curtailing production and reducing inventory as demand slowed.

"Demand for semiconductors is likely to continue well below 2008 levels for the next few quarters, with a gradual recovery to follow as the global economy recovers," Scalise added.