Computer chip sales up in July

Worldwide semiconductor sales rose 37 percent in July over a year ago and were 1.2 percent higher than the previous month, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) said Monday.

Global sales of computer chips hit 25.2 billion dollars in July, up from 24.9 billion dollars in June and 18.4 billion dollars in the same month a year ago, the SIA said.

It said year-to-date sales of 169.2 billion dollars were up 46.7 percent from the 115.3 billion dollars in the first seven months of last year.

"Worldwide sales of semiconductors were strong in July despite growing indications of slower growth in the overall economy," SIA president Brian Toohey said in a statement.

"The continued proliferation of semiconductors into a broad range of products provides opportunities for industry expansion even in a period of slower overall economic growth," Toohey said.

The SIA said it expected semiconductor industry growth of 28.4 percent this year.