SAN JOSE – Worldwide sales of semiconductors in July were $18.2 billion, up 5.3% from June, the Semiconductor Industry Association said.

SIA noted the year-over-year rate of decline has moderated as the year has progressed. The first six months of 2009 saw an average monthly year-over-year decline of approximately 25%, while July sales were 18.2% lower than last year.
 
“The fifth consecutive month of sequential increases in semiconductor sales reflects improving demand in the consumer sector,” said SIA president George Scalise. “Sales of consumer products such as netbook PCs and cellphones are supporting the modest recovery in demand that is now under way. Purchases of information technology products by the enterprise sector continue to be tempered by caution and longer replacement cycles. There is also evidence of a return to seasonal industry patterns."