SAN JOSE – Third-quarter worldwide semiconductor sales were $61.9 billion, up 19.7% sequentially, the Semiconductor Industry Association reported today. Sales were down 10.1% year-over-year. 

September sales were $20.1 billion, up 8.2% from August.
 
“Global semiconductor sales in the third quarter were above expectations,” said SIA President George Scalise. “September sales were in line with historical patterns, reflecting increased demand from end-users as they began the build for the holiday season. Unit sales of personal computers and cell phones – the two largest demand drivers for semiconductors – continue to run ahead of earlier forecasts. Meanwhile, demand for semiconductors for industrial applications – a sector that had declined sharply – showed initial signs of recovery. Sales increased in all geographic regions.
 
“Amid signs that we are in the early stages of recovery in the global economy, semiconductor sales continue to reflect normal seasonal patterns. Sales are running well ahead of the worst-case scenarios projected early in the year, and we are optimistic that total sales for 2009 will be better than our mid-year forecast,” Scalise concluded.