The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reveals worldwide sales of semiconductors were $32.1 billion in April 2019, a decrease of 14.6% from the April 2018 total of $37.6 billion and 0.4% less than the March 2019 total of $32.3 billion. Monthly sales are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. Additionally, a newly released WSTS industry forecast projects annual global sales will decrease 12.1% in 2019, then increase 5.4% in 2020. SIA represents US leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research.
Regionally, sales increased slightly on a month-to-month basis in Japan (2.5%) and China (1.8%), but decreased in Europe (-1.2%), Asia Pacific/All Other (-2%), and the Americas (-3%). On a year-to-year basis, sales were down across all regional markets: Europe (-8%), Asia Pacific/All Other (-10.7%), China (-10.9%), Japan (-10.9%), and the Americas (-29.5%).
The WSTS Spring 2019 global semiconductor sales forecast projects the industry's worldwide sales will be $412.1 billion in 2019. This would mark a 12.1% decrease from the 2018 sales total of $468.8, which was reported as the industry's highest-ever annual total. WSTS projects year-to-year decreases across all regional markets for 2019: Europe (-3.1%), Asia Pacific (including China) (-9.6%), Japan (-9.7%), and the Americas (-23.6%). In 2020, the global market is projected to bounce back somewhat, posting moderate growth of 5.4 percent. WSTS tabulates its semi-annual industry forecast by convening an extensive group of global semiconductor companies that provide accurate and timely indicators of semiconductor trends.
For more information about the global semiconductor industry and market, check out SIA's free 2019 Factbook.