Global semiconductor sales improve

Friday, Nov. 29, 2002 | 9:49 a.m.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Worldwide semiconductor sales increased to $12.5 billion in October, a 1.8 percent jump from September and a 20 percent rise from 2001, a trade group reported today.

The report marks the third quarter of rising sales for an industry that is slowly recovering from the high-tech downturn of recent years.

"If there are any doubts remaining about the strength of the global chip industry, a healthy recovery continues as we move into the fourth quarter," said George Scalise, president of the Semiconductor Industry Association.

Sales of chips used in wireless devices grew most briskly as new subscribers are added in Asia and consumers elsewhere replace older handsets with newer models.

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