WASHINGTON – Worldwide semiconductors sales totaled $96.8 billion in the first quarter, down 13% year-over-year and 15.5% sequentially, says the Semiconductor Industry Association.

Global sales for March were $32.3 billion, a decrease of 13% year-over-year and 1.8% sequentially.

Monthly sales are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

“Global semiconductor sales slowed during the first quarter of 2019, falling short of the previous quarter and first quarter of last year by double-digit percentages,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Sales in March decreased on a year-to-year basis across all major regional markets and semiconductor product categories, consistent with the cyclical trend the global market has experienced recently.”

Sales increased slightly on a month-to-month basis in China (1.3%) and Europe (0.6%) but decreased in Asia Pacific/All Other (1.9%), Japan (4.5%), and the Americas (6.7%). On a year-over-year basis, sales were down across all regional markets: Europe (6.8%), Asia Pacific/All Other (9.3%), China (9.4%), Japan (11.1%), and the Americas (26.6%).

“To help foster growth and innovation in the semiconductor industry and ensure continued US leadership in semiconductor technology, policymakers in Washington should enact measures that invest in scientific research, attract and retain a top technology workforce, and ensure open markets and strong protection of intellectual property,” Neuffer said.