WASHINGTON —  Worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $83.1 billion during the first quarter, up 6% year-over-year.

The 90-day moving average sales in March was $27.7 billion worldwide, down 0.1% sequentially, the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics  announced.

“Despite macroeconomic challenges, first quarter global semiconductor sales are higher than they were last year, which was a record year for semiconductor revenue,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “The Americas region posted its sixth straight month of double-digit, year-to-year growth to lead all regional markets, and DRAM and analog products continue to be key drivers of global sales growth.” 

Regionally, sales were up compared to last month in Asia Pacific/All Other (3.1 percent), Europe (2.7%), and China (1%), which is broken out as a separate country in the sales data for the first time. Japan (down 0.4%) and the Americas (off 6.9%) both saw sales decrease compared to last month. Compared to March 2014, sales increased in the Americas (14.2%), China (13.3%), and Asia Pacific/Other (3.8%) but decreased 4% in Europe and 9.6% in Japan. 

SIA also took the opportunity to push US legislators to enact a free trade bill. 

“Congress is considering a legislative initiative called Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) that would help promote continued growth in the semiconductor sector and throughout the US economy,” said Neuffer. "Free trade is vital to the US semiconductor industry. In 2014, US semiconductor company sales totaled $173 billion, representing over half the global market, and 82% of those sales were to customers outside the United States. TPA paves the way for free trade, and Congress should swiftly enact it.” 

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