In the first quarter of 2018, global semiconductor sales were US$111.1 billion. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2017, the quarter decreased by 2.5%. However, compared with the same period of last year, it increased by 20% year-on-year.
SIA President and Chief Executive John Neuffer stated in his statement that last year global semiconductor sales broke an unprecedented record, and the semiconductor market showed considerable growth in the first quarter of 2018, with sales far exceeding the same period of last year. In March, semiconductor buying continued to increase for the 20th consecutive month. Regional sales have both increased by double digits year-on-year; with memory leading, sales of major semiconductor product categories are increasing year after year.
After a closer look at regional buying, compared with the same period of last year, Americas sales increased by 35.7% in March, Europe increased by 20.6%, China increased by 18.8%, Asia Pacific/Others increased by 13.3%, Japan increased by 12.4%. Compared with the previous month, Europe rose 3.9% month-on-month, China rose 2.2% month-on-month, Japan rose 0.5% month-on-month, Asia/others increased 0.2% month-on-month, but the Americas decreased 2.0% month-on-month.