Global semiconductor sales increased nearly 6% in the third quarter over a year ago amid continuing signs of caution.
Chip sales in September also soared by 20% in the Americas compared to a year earlier.
The global total for the quarter reached $113.6 billion, according to tally by the Semiconductor Industry Association, which uses sales data from the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics organization.
The global results were even better when comparing the third quarter to the second quarter — an increase of 11%.
One particularly high note in the report was that all regions saw sales increases in September over August.
John Neuffer, SIA president called the third quarter results “solid” but said “significant market uncertainty remains due to the pandemic and other macroeconomic factors.”
Looking into the current fourth quarter, analyst firm VLSI reported that chip sales “soared” in the third week of October, nearly eclipsing the summer’s peak. Sales improved for NAND despite headwinds, VLSI said.
NAND continues to be the strongest market of all chips, while growth has slowed, VLSI reported on Friday. “DRAM conditions deteriorated significantly,” for the third week in October, VLSI said.
The final week in October brought strong statements from the ruling China Communist Party related to the nation’s place in technology and its industrial ambitions.
On Thursday, the party said it wants to “accelerate the building and science and technology power,” according to AP and other press statements.
“Science and technology should be self-reliant as a strategic support for national development,” the party added in a statement.
The central committee adopted the 14th Five Year Plan for the nation’s development and objectives. The five years covers 2021 to 2025, but the long-range objectives last through 2035.
However, in a Friday news conference, officials within China’s central government also called on the need for other countries to collaborate with China amid the pandemic and rising protectionism.
“Decoupling is basically not realistic, and there’s no benefit for China or the U.S. or the entire world,” said Han Wenxiu, deputy director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, according to a CNBC translation.
“Those who want decoupling are few. Those who want collaboration are far more,” Han added, while noting that the U.S. and China have become the largest economies because they complement each other and operation in an open global trade space.
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