NEEDHAM, MA – Worldwide smartphone shipments declined 0.1% year over year to 302.8 million units in the third quarter, according to preliminary data from IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. Although macroeconomic uncertainties linger as markets struggle with soft demand, inflation, and geopolitical tensions, healthy inventory and the slower pace of decline are encouraging some vendors to increase shipments.

TOKYO – Japan's PCB output has shrunk for 10 consecutive months and continues to fall into double-digit declines, with August representing the third largest decline this year, according to the Japan Electronics Packaging Circuits Association.