January Global Chip Sales Up From 2002

Global sales of semiconductors rose 22% to $12.2 billion in January from the same month in 2002 as the chip industry rebounds from one of its worst-ever slumps, a trade group said.

However, worldwide sales of microchips declined 2.4% in January from $12.5 billion in December 2002, according to figures released by the Semiconductor Industry Assn.

Sales rose the most in the Asia-Pacific region and Japan, by 33% and 34%, respectively, with Europe increasing 16% and the Americas just 3%, the SIA said.