Semiconductor sales up 5.3% during July

According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), worldwide semiconductor sales rose 5.3% in July. SIA believes this increase echoes a rising demand for products like netbooks and mobile handsets. Global semiconductor sales were marked at $18.2 billion during July, an improvement over June's recorded $17.2 billion. Nevertheless, sales were down 18.2% year-over-year in July.

SIA President George Scalise offered a statement on the subject, "The fifth-consecutive month of sequential increases in semiconductor sales reflects improving demand in the consumer sector." Scalise added that the consumption of IT products by the enterprise segment "continue to be tempered by caution and longer replacement cycles."

Scalise sees evidence of a return to seasonal industry patterns -- a potential relief. The semiconductor industry has ailed amid the unstable global economy. IT companies have responded by restructuring and reducing workforce to lessen spending.