WASHINGTON, DC — The 90-day moving average of worldwide sales of semiconductors in June fell 0.5% from last year to $24.7 billion, the Semiconductor Industry Association said today.

Sales were down 1.5% from May, the trade group announced, but remain on track with previous growth estimates.

Second quarter sales were down 2% sequentially, but rose 3.7% over last year.

“Despite this month’s modest contraction in sales, the industry saw a 3.7% increase in the first half sales compared to the same period last year, which saw record-breaking growth,” said SIA president Brian Toohey in a statement. “Overall semiconductor sales are on track with growth projections of 5.4% growth for 2011.”

Gains in the corporate PC refresh cycle, smartphone demand and the subsequent increased investment in IT infrastructure, as well as growing markets in China, were offset by slower consumer demand in June, SIA said. All regions experienced growth year-to-date over last year, except Japan, as the region continues to recover from the effects of the natural disaster earlier this year. Additionally, semiconductor content will continue to increase across all sectors of end-use products especially in the automotive sector.

“The semiconductor industry should be encouraged by the US Administration’s announcement on Friday of increased fuel economy standards and the effort to include more green and smart technology in vehicles. These standards will present additional opportunities for growth in the semiconductor industry, and while the implementation is years away, it is an indicator of the increasing demand for smart technology and the innovations enabled by semiconductor technology,” said Toohey.

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