Worldwide sales of semiconductors reached US$117.9 billion during the second quarter of 2018, up 6% sequentially and 20.5% on year, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). Sales for June 2018 increased 1.5% on month and 20.5% from a year earlier to US$39.3 billion.

"Halfway through 2018, the global semiconductor industry continues to post impressive sales totals, notching its highest-ever quarterly sales in Q2 and record monthly sales in June," said John Neuffer, president and CEO of SIA. "Global sales have increased year-to-year by more than 20% for 15 consecutive months, and sales of every major product category increased year-to-year in June."

Semiconductor sales increased compared to June 2017 in China (30.7%), the Americas (26.7%), Europe (15.9%), Japan (14.0%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (8.6%). June sales were also up compared to May in China (3.2%), Japan (1.3%), the Americas (1.2%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (0.5%), but down slightly in Europe (-0.8%).

Worldwide sales of semiconductors during the first half of 2018 were 20.4% higher than they were at the same point in 2017, SIA indicated.