European semiconductor sales up 4% in October

European sales figures grew by 4% in October (4.5% for IC only), reflecting a positive demand across most major product categories. Amongst memory products there was 3% total growth. In this category Flash memories continue to gain momentum, showing a strong 5% increase, mainly driven by developments in some end-use markets.

Flash memories are mainly used in handsets, and increasingly in products such as MP3 players and digital cameras. WSTS reports positive numbers also for Microprocessors (+8.6%) and Logic products- including both standard (6.9%) and application specific chips (2.4%). European Semiconductor sales in October 2005 amounted to US$ 3.420 billion according to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), up 4.0% versus the previous month. This corresponds to a 1.1% decline compared to the same month last year. On a year-to-date basis, semiconductor sales increased by 1.1% versus the same period in 2004.
 
The exchange rate of the Euro compared to the US$ still has an impact on the growth data but to the other direction. Measured in Euro, semiconductor sales in October were EURO 2.800 billion, up 4.1% on previous month and still a decline of 0.5% versus the same month a year ago. On a year-to-date basis, semiconductor sales show a decline of 1.3% versus the same period in 2004. On a worldwide basis, semiconductor sales in October were US$ 20.049 billion, up 2.5% versus the previous month. This results in an increase of 6.8% versus the same month in 2004 and on a year-to-date basis it results in an improved growth rate of 6.1%.