AmInvest Research believes two main growth drivers for Pentamaster this year are smart sensors used in mobile devices and semiconductor components used in electric vehicles (EVs), e.g. power inverters and multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs).
KUALA LUMPUR: Global sales of semiconductors in January recorded a decline from a year ago and from December after the strong growth last year but the long-term outlook remains promising.
The US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported on Monday sales reached US$35.5bil in January.
This was a decrease of 5.7 percent from the January 2018 total of US$37.6bil and 7.2% less than the December 2018 total of US$38.2bil. The monthly sales represent a three-month moving average.
“Global semiconductor sales got off to a slow start in 2019, as year-to-year sales decreased in January for the first time since July 2016 and month-to-month sales were down across all major product categories and regional markets,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO.
“Following record sales over the last three years, reaching US$469bil in 2018, it seems clear the global market is experiencing a period of slower sales.
“The long-term outlook remains promising, however, due to the ever-increasing semiconductor content in a range of consumer products and future growth drivers such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, the Internet of Things, and 5G and next-generation communications networks.”
Regionally, year-on-year sales increased 0.2% in Europe but fell 15.3% in the Americas, Asia Pacific/All Other (-3.8%), China (-3.2%), and Japan (-1.5%).
Compared to December, sales were down across all regional markets: Europe (-1.5%), Asia Pacific/All Other (-3.6%), Japan (-4.7%), China (-8.5%), and the Americas (-13%)
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
