Chip Sales Rise Worldwide, Slump in Americas

Worldwide sales of semiconductors rose 9.9% in May, as demand started to recover from geopolitical conflicts and the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, a trade group said.

Sales increased to $12.5 billion from $11.4 billion in May 2002, the San Jose-based Semiconductor Industry Assn. said.

The 2% rise from April marked the third consecutive monthly increase.

Global chip demand is expected to improve in the second half of the year, especially in China, as concerns about SARS and geopolitical conflicts diminish, association President George Scalise said.

Chip sales are on track to grow 10.1% this year, the association said.

Sales in Japan rose the fastest in May, by 26%, while sales in the Americas declined 6.7%. They increased 12% in Asia and 9.3% in Europe.