Semiconductor sales 'will increase'

The California-based Semiconductor Industry Association [SIA] said chip sales had increased for the second month running in data reported for November 2001, and forecast a 4.7% increase in sales in Q4 compared with Q3.

The SIA commented that PCs, wireless devices, automotive and telematic products continued to fuel semiconductor sales and lead the industry out of its year-long recession.

However, it is too early to see if it is a trend, and Dram prices are still below cost. The largest increase in sales was in Europe with a 5.3% increase.

Spot D-ram [128Mbit 6x8] prices improved from $1.00 to almost $3.00 [source Dramexchage].

Shares in semiconductor companies also improved.

Intel [Nasdaq: INTC] was up some 5% on the day closing at $33.00. Likewise stock prices in other semicondustor companies also rose, including Infineon, Samsung and Hynix. Infineon rose some 6% to € 24.36.