KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 6): Global semiconductor sales rose 5.1% year-on-year (y-o-y) in October to US$30.5 billion from US$29 billion a year earlier, according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

In a statement on its website yesterday, the SIA said the October sales rose month-on-month (from US$29.5 billion).

It said all monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organisation and represent a three-month moving average.

It said that additionally, a new WSTS industry forecast projects roughly flat annual semiconductor sales in 2016, followed by slight market growth in 2017 and 2018.

SIA president and chief executive officer John Neuffer said the global semiconductor market has rebounded in recent months, with October marking the largest year-to-year sales increase since March 2015.

"Sales increased compared to last month across all regional markets and nearly every major semiconductor product category.

"Meanwhile, the latest industry forecast has been revised upward and now calls for flat annual sales in 2016 and small increases in 2017 and 2018. All told, the industry is well-positioned for a strong close to 2016," he said.

The SIA said that regionally, year-to-year sales increased in China (14%), Japan (7.2%), Asia Pacific/All Other (1.9%), and the Americas (0.1%), but decreased in Europe (3%).

It said compared with last month, sales were up across all regional markets: the Americas (6.5%), China (3.2%), Japan (3.0%), Europe (2.2%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (2%).

Additionally, the SIA endorsed the WSTS Autumn 2016 global semiconductor sales forecast, which projects the industry's worldwide sales will be US$335 billion in 2016, a 0.1% decrease from the 2015 sales total.

WSTS projects a year-to-year increase in Japan (3.2%) and Asia Pacific (2.5%), with decreases expected in Europe (4.9%) and the Americas (6.5%).

The SIA said among major semiconductor product categories, WSTS forecasts growth in 2016 for sensors (22.6%), discretes (4.2%), analog (4.8%) and MOS micro ICs (2.3%), which include microprocessors and microcontrollers.

The SIA said that beyond 2016, the semiconductor market is expected to grow at a modest pace across all regions.

WSTS forecasts 3.3% growth globally for 2017 (US$346.1 billion in total sales) and 2.3% growth for 2018 (US$354 billion).

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.