Global semiconductor sales continued their positive growth in October, posting a 5% gain year over year. Revenues came in at $23.1 billion, up from $22.0 billion in October 2006. Sales for 2007 so far are well ahead of 2006: According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), chip manufacturers have sold products for $210.5 billion during the first ten months of the year, up from $202.6 billion in the same period of 2006.   

The sales growth, estimated at about 3.8% for the year, is mainly driven by an increase of shipment numbers in many semiconductor segments, fueled by higher consumer demand resulting from lower chip prices. According to the SIA, DRAM shipments were up 55% in the first ten months of the year, while revenues were up only 4%. Microprocessor shipments were up 15% with revenues up just 4%, the organization said.

The SIA noted that PC sales in the third quarter of 2007 were stronger than expected, leading JPMorgan to increase its forecast of growth in unit sales for the year from 11 to 12% to at least 13.5%. According to JP Morgan, the PC market is undergoing significant shifts in geographic demand. In 2006, the U.S. led all regions in PC unit purchases. The new JPMorgan forecast projects that both the Asia-Pacific region and the Rest of World will surpass the U.S. in PC unit sales in 2007.