SAN JOSE – The 90-day moving average worldwide semiconductor sales in April were $23.6 billion, up 2.2% from March and 50.4% year-over-year.

 

Year to date sales were $92.6 billion, up 54.2%,  said the Semiconductor Industry Association. All monthly sales numbers represent a three-month moving average.

 

“Global sales of semiconductors grew at a healthy rate in April, surpassing the previous monthly record level of November 2007,” said SIA President George Scalise. “As expected, both the year-on-year and sequential growth rates moderated slightly. The unusually high year-on-year comparison is a reflection of the trough of the recession in early 2009 compared to strong demand today.

 

 “Important contributors to current growth of semiconductor sales include the worldwide adoption of 3G wireless communications and consequent investment in infrastructure and recovery of demand from the enterprise, automotive, and industrial sectors.

 

“Going forward, we expect semiconductor sales will return to historical seasonal patterns. Future growth of the industry remains heavily dependent on the continued global economic recovery, and in particular, on continued growth in the developing markets that are the largest demand drivers for our products,” Scalise said.

 

SIA will release its mid-year forecast on June 10.