AMD, Intel CPU sales soared in August

FIGURES FROM the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) showed that sales in August rose by 6.2 per cent compared to last year.

Sales of CPUs rose steeply, while other components in different categories also did well. According to analysts at Handelsbanken Capital Markets, the figures show that the stock correction that started in July 2004 is finally over, with sales passing the previous peak in July 2000 for the first time.

Much movement in sales was because of greater imports into China. Handelsbanken estimates that chip sales will now rise five per cent this year and nine per cent in 2006.

Handelsbanken claimed that sales of CPUs from both AMD and Intel were strong in August, fired by sales of notebooks. Average selling prices rose from $94 to $109, which Handelsbanken reckons indicates more sales of notebook and servers and less desktop chips.

DRAM was the modest wallflower at the chip dance, however, although NAND behaved like a wild girl out to get her man of the month. Handelsbanken believes the strong position of NAND indicates good sales of the Apple iPod.

NAND may be a raver at the memory ball, but Intel and AMD won't be cheered by NOR memory performance - which remain weak.

US PC sales rebounded in August, but the big PC market is in China. µ

L'INQ
Handelsbanken