Global Chip Sales Saw First Rebound Since Downturn

Global chip sales posted a year-over-year gain in November, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association, another positive milestone after the worst year for the industry since the dot-com bust.

The trade group estimates worldwide semiconductor sales rose 8.5 percent from a year earlier to $22.6 billion. That would mark the first year-over-year uptick since September of 2008, when the recession began cutting demand for consumer electronics and information technology.

Sales were up 3.7 percent from October, the ninth consecutive month-over-month increase.

SIA said Monday that sales of information technology and consumer products picked up more strongly than anticipated.

The group said the rise in personal computer sales may signal the beginning of a recovery in demand from businesses, which have lagged behind consumers. That trend has gotten a boost from the release of Microsoft Corp.‘s latest operating system, Windows 7, SIA said.

By far, the strongest year-over-year sales growth came in the Americas, which posted a gain of nearly 26 percent. Asia Pacific countries grew 12.8 percent. Europe and Japan lagged, with a 4.9 percent and 5.3 percent drop respectively.

1/4/2010 7:50 AM SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)