WASHINGTON, DC -- In sharp contrast to the near-collective consecutive quarterly revenue declines reported by US defense contractors in the first quarter of 2012, most companies exhibited quarterly revenue growth for the second quarter. This is despite the ongoing challenges of declining defense budgets as well as the unresolved issue of sequestration in the US.

EL SEGUNDO, CA -- On a worldwide basis Apple and other multinational OEMs may be the leading semiconductor purchasers in 2012, but within the all-important Asia-Pacific region it is the locally based companies that are No. 1 when it comes to chip spending growth.

ARLINGTON, VA -- The June order index compiled by the Electronic Components Industry Association moved downward as the uncertainty in world markets continued.

TUCSON, AZ -- According to experts, five challenging issues confront companies navigating Customs between the US and Mexico.