WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2013 — (PRNewswire) —  The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $25.53 billion for the month of July 2013, the highest total of 2013 and an increase of 5.1 percent over July 2012. Global sales in July were 2.6 percent higher than the previous month's total of $24.88 billion. Sales in the Americas increased 21.5 percent compared to July 2012, marking the region's largest year-over-year increase in more than two years. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

"The consistent, upward trajectory of global semiconductor sales continued in July, with the Americas showing particular strength and surging ahead of last year's pace," said Brian Toohey, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. "Sales increased in all regions and across every product category, and macroeconomic indicators bode well for continued growth during the remainder of 2013."

Regionally, July sales increased on a sequential monthly basis in Japan (7.9 percent), the Americas (5.4 percent), Asia Pacific (1.2 percent), and Europe (0.3 percent). Compared to the same month in 2012, sales in July increased sharply in the Americas (21.5 percent), solidly in Asia Pacific (7.2 percent), and modestly in Europe (1.1 percent), but fell steeply in Japan (-18.6 percent), largely because of the devaluation of the Japanese yen.

"The semiconductor industry has built a head of steam as Fall approaches, and we look to Congress and the Administration to help us keep the momentum going by enacting initiatives that spur growth and boost U.S. competitiveness," Toohey continued. "With the need for access to the world's top talent growing stronger by the day, the time is now for policymakers to take action on meaningful immigration reform legislation. Congress also must swiftly approve legislation to secure the supply of helium, a gas that is needed for semiconductor manufacturing and a range of other applications, before an Oct. 7 deadline, when a key source of helium – the Federal Helium Reserve – is scheduled to go offline to industrial and scientific helium users."

To find out how to purchase the WSTS Subscription Package, which includes comprehensive monthly semiconductor sales data and detailed WSTS Forecasts, please visit http://www.semiconductors.org/industry_statistics/wsts_subscription_package/. 

About the SIA
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, one of America's top export industries and a key driver of America's economic strength, national security and global competitiveness. Semiconductors – microchips that control all modern electronics – enable the systems and products that 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 2012, U.S. semiconductor sales totaled more than $146 billion, and semiconductors make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. Founded in 1977 by five microelectronics pioneers, SIA unites companies that account for 80 percent of America's semiconductor production. Through this coalition, SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor design and manufacturing by working with Congress, the Administration and other key industry stakeholders to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org.

About WSTS
World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) is an independent non-profit organization representing the vast majority of the world semiconductor industry. The mission of WSTS is to be the respected source of semiconductor market data and forecasts. Founded in 1986, WSTS is the singular source for monthly industry shipment statistics.

SOURCE Semiconductor Industry Association

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Semiconductor Industry Association Web: http://www.semiconductors.org/