The worldwide semiconductor market continued to show signs of recovery in February, with sales jumping 56.2 percent over February 2009, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Sales for the month were $22 billion, an SIA survey released April 5 found. The $22 billion was a 1.3 percent drop from the $22.3 billion in sales generated in January.
However, SIA officials warned that the numbers should be viewed in the context of the global recession.
“While the 56 percent year-on-year growth reflected in the February sales number is encouraging, it is important to note that January and February of 2009 marked the low point for the semiconductor industry during the worldwide economic downturn,” SIA President George Scalise said in a statement.
Scalise said the primary drivers continue to be electronic devices sold in emerging markets, and added that unit sales of the top products-PCs and cell phones-are expected to grow in 2010.
“There are encouraging signs that the global economic recovery will continue, and we remain cautiously optimistic that there is upside potential for growth beyond our November forecast for 2010,” he concluded.