Worldwide sales of semiconductors reached US$41.8 billion for the month of October 2018, up 12.7% compared to year-ago levels and 1% sequentially, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). Monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

Regionally, year-to-year sales increased in China (23.3%), the Americas (14.1%), Europe (7.0%), Japan (5.5%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (3.7%). Compared with last month, sales were up in the Americas (2.8%), Asia Pacific/All Other (1.8%), Japan (0.4%), and Europe (0.2%), but down slightly in China (-0.4%).

"The global semiconductor industry posted solid year-to-year growth in October and is on pace for its highest-ever annual sales in 2018, but growth has moderated in recent months," said John Neuffer, president and CEO of SIA. "Although strong sales of DRAM products continue to boost overall market growth, sales in all other major product categories also increased year-to-year in October, and all major regional markets posted year-to-year gains. Double-digit annual growth is expected in 2018, with more modest growth projected for 2019."

Additionally, SIA endorsed the WSTS Autumn 2018 global semiconductor sales forecast, which projects the industry's worldwide sales will be US$477.9 billion in 2018. This would mark the industry's highest-ever annual sales, a 15.9% increase from the 2017 sales total of US$412.2 billion. WSTS projects year-to-year increases across all regional markets for 2018: the Americas (19.6%), Asia Pacific (16.0%), Europe (13.2%), and Japan (9.6%).

In 2019, growth in the semiconductor market is expected to moderate, with annual sales projected to increase by 2.6%. WSTS tabulates its semi-annual industry forecast by convening an extensive group of global semiconductor companies that provide accurate and timely indicators of semiconductor trends.