John Neuffer, President and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association02.02.16
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design and research, announced the global semiconductor industry posted sales totaling $335.2 billion in 2015, a slight decrease of 0.2% compared to the 2014 total, which was the industry’s highest-ever sales total.
Global sales for the month of December 2015 reached $27.6 billion, down 4.4% compared to the previous month and 5.2% lower than sales from December 2014. Fourth quarter sales of $82.9 billion were 5.2% lower than the total of $87.4 billion from the fourth quarter of 2014. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.
Despite formidable headwinds, the global semiconductor industry posted solid sales in 2015, although falling just short of the record total from 2014. Factors that limited more robust sales in 2015 include softening demand, the strength of the dollar, and normal market trends and cyclicality. In spite of these challenges, modest market growth is projected for 2016.
Several semiconductor product segments stood out in 2015. Logic was the largest semiconductor category by sales with $90.8 billion in 2015, or 27% of the total semiconductor market. Memory ($77.2 billion) and micro-ICs ($61.3 billion) – a category that includes microprocessors – rounded out the top three segments in terms of total sales.
Optoelectronics was the fastest growing segment, increasing 11.3% in 2015. Other product segments that posted increased sales in 2015 include sensors and actuators, which reached $8.8 billion in sales for a 3.7% annual increase, NAND flash memory ($28.8 billion/2.2% increase), and analog ($45.2 billion/1.9% increase).
Regionally, annual sales increased 7.7% in China, leading all regional markets. All other regional markets – the Americas (-0.8%), Europe (-8.5%), Japan (-10.7%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (-0.2%) – saw decreased sales compared to 2014.
The semiconductor industry is critically important to the U.S. economy and our global competitiveness. We urge Congress to enact polices in 2016 that promote innovation and growth. One such initiative is the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a landmark agreement that would tear down myriad barriers to trade with countries in the Asia-Pacific. The TPP is good for the semiconductor industry, the tech sector, the American economy and the global economy. Congress should approve it.
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry. Semiconductors – microchips that control all modern electronics – enable the systems and products we use to work, communicate, travel, entertain, harness energy, treat illness, and make new scientific discoveries. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.S. In 2014, U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $173 billion.
World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) is an independent non-profit organization representing the vast majority of the world semiconductor industry. Founded in 1986, WSTS is the singular source for monthly industry shipment statistics. To purchase the WSTS Subscription Package, which includes comprehensive monthly semiconductor sales data and detailed WSTS Forecasts, visit http://www.semiconductors.org/industry_statistics/wsts_subscription_package/.
Global sales for the month of December 2015 reached $27.6 billion, down 4.4% compared to the previous month and 5.2% lower than sales from December 2014. Fourth quarter sales of $82.9 billion were 5.2% lower than the total of $87.4 billion from the fourth quarter of 2014. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.
Despite formidable headwinds, the global semiconductor industry posted solid sales in 2015, although falling just short of the record total from 2014. Factors that limited more robust sales in 2015 include softening demand, the strength of the dollar, and normal market trends and cyclicality. In spite of these challenges, modest market growth is projected for 2016.
Several semiconductor product segments stood out in 2015. Logic was the largest semiconductor category by sales with $90.8 billion in 2015, or 27% of the total semiconductor market. Memory ($77.2 billion) and micro-ICs ($61.3 billion) – a category that includes microprocessors – rounded out the top three segments in terms of total sales.
Optoelectronics was the fastest growing segment, increasing 11.3% in 2015. Other product segments that posted increased sales in 2015 include sensors and actuators, which reached $8.8 billion in sales for a 3.7% annual increase, NAND flash memory ($28.8 billion/2.2% increase), and analog ($45.2 billion/1.9% increase).
Regionally, annual sales increased 7.7% in China, leading all regional markets. All other regional markets – the Americas (-0.8%), Europe (-8.5%), Japan (-10.7%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (-0.2%) – saw decreased sales compared to 2014.
The semiconductor industry is critically important to the U.S. economy and our global competitiveness. We urge Congress to enact polices in 2016 that promote innovation and growth. One such initiative is the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a landmark agreement that would tear down myriad barriers to trade with countries in the Asia-Pacific. The TPP is good for the semiconductor industry, the tech sector, the American economy and the global economy. Congress should approve it.
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry. Semiconductors – microchips that control all modern electronics – enable the systems and products we use to work, communicate, travel, entertain, harness energy, treat illness, and make new scientific discoveries. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.S. In 2014, U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $173 billion.
World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) is an independent non-profit organization representing the vast majority of the world semiconductor industry. Founded in 1986, WSTS is the singular source for monthly industry shipment statistics. To purchase the WSTS Subscription Package, which includes comprehensive monthly semiconductor sales data and detailed WSTS Forecasts, visit http://www.semiconductors.org/industry_statistics/wsts_subscription_package/.