Monthly Chip Sales Hit $35 Billion for First Time

　　Monthly semiconductor sales hit $35 billion for the first time in August, increasing on a sequential basis for the 13th consecutive month, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

　　The three-month moving average of chip sales increased by 4 percent sequentially and 24 percent year-to-year in August, as the semiconductor sales rally that began in the second half of 2016 continues to steam along, according to the SIA. The industry association reports sales figures compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics organization, a group of 55 semiconductor firms that provide sales data on a monthly basis.

　　"Sales in August increased across the board, with every major regional market and semiconductor product category posting gains on a month-to-month and year-to-year basis," said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO, in a press statement. "Memory products continue be a major driver of overall market growth, but sales were up even without memory in August."

　　Led by strong sales of memory chips, the semiconductor industry is enjoying its strongest growth year since at least 2010. The latest forecast from the WSTS calls for chip sales to be  up 11.5 percent this year compared with last year. Other market watchers, such as market research firm IC Insights, are even more bullish.

　　The Americas region posted growth of 8.8 percent sequentially and 39 percent year-over-year in August, the strongest of any major region, according to the SIA. Sales in China were up 3.7 percent sequentially and 23.3 percent year-over-year, the SIA said.

　　Neuffer again urged the U.S. Congress to enact corporate tax reform that makes the U.S. competitive with other nations, echoing a message the SIA put out last week in support of the tax reform proposal advanced by President Donald Trump and Republican leaders in Congress.

　　"With about half of global market share, the U.S. semiconductor industry is the worldwide leader, but U.S. companies face intense global competition," Neuffer said.