$255.6 bln worth of semiconductors sold in 2007

The Semiconductor Industry Association reported that global sales of semiconductors grew for the sixth-consecutive year, reaching a record $255.6 bln in 2007, an increase of 3.2% from the $247.7 bln reported in 2006. Worldwide sales in December 2007 were $22.3 bln, an increase of 2.5% compared to the $21.7 bln reported in December 2006. December 2007 sales declined by 3.6% from the immediate-prior month when sales were $23.1 bln. The modest sequential decline in December reflected normal seasonal patterns. Worldwide sales in Q4 2007 were $66.8 bln, an increase of 2.5% over Q4 2006 sales of $65.2 bln. Shipments of personal computers, which account for approximately 40% all semiconductor consumption, grew by 13.8% and will grow by 12.2% in 2008. Mobile PC unit sales grew 32.2% while desktop unit sales grew by 4.1%. Cell phone unit shipments grew by 20% to nearly 1.2 bln units in 2007. Current forecasts project 10 to 15% growth in unit shipments in 2008.