2006 global chip sales good start in January increased by 7%

2006 global semiconductor sales situation is a good start, January sales reached $19 billion 660 million, an increase of 7% over last year. After all, January is usually the semiconductor sales season. According to the U.S. semiconductor industry association (SIA) recently released data show that in January fell by 1.5% than last year semiconductor sales of $19 billion 950 million in December. SIA pointed out that in January global semiconductor sales are generally down 2.2% over the previous year in December.

In addition, SIA forecast in the first quarter of this year, global semiconductor sales will grow 1% or more than last year's fourth quarter, an increase of more than 1% over the same period last year.

2005 fourth quarter overall capacity utilization increased from 90% to 92%, which means that in 2006 capital expenditures will grow by 4-6%. Over the past year in 2005, the overall capital expenditure was flat.