According to the latest updates from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), worldwide sales of semiconductors rose to $22.6 billion in November, up 3.7% from October and up 8.5% year over year.
SIA President George Scalise added that sales of many IT and consumer products fared much better than earlier projections in 2009. Sales of personal computers continue to be strong, signaling the beginning of a recovery of demand from the business sector. The release of Microsoft’s (MSFT) Windows 7 operating system in October has boosted sales. In the consumer market, unit sales of LCD TVs were up 25% – 30%. Sales increased sequentially in all geographic markets.
Most chipmakers have recently raised their outlook for the December quarter in anticipation of strong sales from all geographies.
Altera Corporation (ALTR) upgraded its guidance for the fourth quarter of 2009. Management expects revenues from all vertical markets to be up sequentially in the fourth quarter, reflecting a strong new product cycle as well as improving end-market trends and customer desire for appropriate inventory to support sales levels.
Rival company Xilinx Inc. (XLNX) upgraded its guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2010. Management increased sales guidance primarily due to broad-based strength across all end market categories and geographies.
Earlier, top player Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN) also raised its outlook for the fourth quarter, driven by improved demand in chips used in cell phones and other electronic gadgets such as hard disk drives and video game consoles. Management stated that October and November were both strong months for the company.
Microchip Technology Incorporated (MCHP) upgraded its guidance for the third quarter as the company continues to see excellent design-win traction in strategic product lines. This clearly signals a strong recovery in semiconductor markets, which were hit hard by the global economic downturn a year ago.
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