Worldwide semiconductor sales soar

Sales for semiconductors grew by almost 15 per cent during the year reaching a record high worldwide figure of $11.8 billion in September, according to US trade group The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

The figure represents a 1.6 per cent increase over August sales of $11.6 billion. The SIA said the figures are in line with its projections, which call for a 5.5 per cent increase for 1997 and a 16.8 per cent increase in 1998.