\n\tThe Semiconductor Industry Association, Washington, announces that the global semiconductor industry posted sales totaling $335.2 billion in 2015, a slight decrease of 0.2% compared to the 2014 total, which was the industry’s highest-ever sales total. Global sales for the month of December 2015 reached $27.6 billion, down 4.4% compared to the previous month and 5.% lower than sales from December 2014.<\/p>\n
\n\tFourth quarter sales of $82.9 billion were 5.2% lower than the total of $87.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.<\/p>\n
\n\t“Despite formidable headwinds, the global semiconductor industry posted solid sales in 2015, although falling just short of the record total from 2014,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “Factors that limited more robust sales in 2015 include softening demand, the strength of the dollar, and normal market trends and cyclicality. In spite of these challenges, modest market growth is projected for 2016.”<\/p>\n
\n\tSeveral semiconductor product segments stood out in 2015. Logic was the largest semiconductor category by sales with $90.8 billionin 2015, or 27% of the total semiconductor market. Memory ($77.2 billion) and micro-ICs ($61.3 billion) \u2013 a category that includes microprocessors \u2013 rounded out the top three segments in terms of total sales.<\/p>\n
\n\tOptoelectronics was the fastest growing segment, increasing 11.3% in 2015. Other product segments that posted increased sales in 2015 include sensors and actuators, which reached $8.8 billion in sales for a 3.7% annual increase, NAND flash memory ($28.8 billion\/2.2% increase), and analog ($45.2 billion\/1.9% increase).<\/p>\n
\n\tRegionally, annual sales increased 7.7% in China, leading all regional markets. All other regional markets \u2013 the Americas (-0.8%), Europe (-8.5%), Japan (-10.7%), and Asia Pacific\/All Other (-0.2%) \u2013 saw decreased sales compared to 2014.<\/p>\n