Worldwide sales of semiconductors reached US$39.5 billion for the month of July 2018, an increase of 17.4% compared to the July 2017 total of US$33.6 billion, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

Global semiconductor sales in July 2018 were 0.4% higher than the June 2018 total of US$39.3 billion, said SIA. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

"The global semiconductor industry posted its highest-ever monthly sales in July, easily outpacing last July and narrowly ahead of last month's total," said John Neuffer, president and CEO of SIA. "Sales were up year-to-year across every major semiconductor product category and regional market, with the China and Americas markets leading the way with growth of greater than 20%."

Regionally, sales increased compared to July 2017 in China (29.4%), the Americas (20.7%), Europe (11.7%), Japan (11.5%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (5.7%). Sales were up compared to last month in China (1.7%) and the Americas (0.4%), held flat in Asia Pacific/All Other, and decreased slightly in Japan (-0.1%) and Europe (-2.4%).