The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported that global semiconductor sales reached $172.58 billion in September, while the PHLX Semiconductor Index fell 12.25% two days after the data release. That sequence does not establish a connection between the two measures.
SIA's figures, released Nov. 3, put September sales 146.8% above the same month a year earlier, when the total was $69.93 billion. Sales also rose 7.9% from August, according to the association's monthly table. The annual increase and monthly gain use different comparison periods: September 2025 and August 2026, respectively.
The association reported third-quarter sales of $517.7 billion, up 24.1% from the second quarter. World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) compiles the monthly series, which represents a three-month moving average. SIA describes WSTS as an independent nonprofit organization that compiles monthly industry shipment statistics. The sales report tracks shipment data, while the index close is a market measure.
Year-over-year sales rose in all five regions listed by SIA. The Americas had the largest reported increase, at 191.7%, followed by Asia Pacific/All Other at 141.4%. China recorded a 124.9% gain, Europe 102.5%, and Japan 73.4%, the smallest increase among the regions shown. The regional rates compare September with the same month a year earlier.
SIA President and CEO Michael Robbins said sales had grown more than 20% from one quarter to the next in each of three consecutive quarters. His statement described the industry's sales trend but did not explain the index's later decline.
Nasdaq's index history showed the PHLX Semiconductor Index closing at 9,011.14 on Nov. 5, compared with 10,268.65 on Nov. 4. The decline came two days after the sales release. SIA's release gave no reason for the index's fall, and the figures do not show that the sales increase drove the market move.
