World-wide sales of chip-making equipment in June posted the highest percentage growth in 21 months, with demand expected to grow still further in the next quarter, an industry group said on August 14.
Global sales of tools used to make microchips jumped to $3.99 billion in June, up 50 percent from a year earlier, on quadrupled sales in China and growth in North America and Taiwan, the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ) said.
Orders world-wide for chip equipment in June rose more than 90 percent from a year earlier, although no breakdown was available, an SEAJ spokesman said. A rise in orders is good news for chip gear makers' revenues three to 6 months ahead, when the orders are expected to be filled.
Demand for mobile phones, digital music players and flat screen TVs is propelling semiconductor demand, prompting chip makers to rev up production capacity.