Worldwide sales of semiconductors climbed to a record US$80.92 billion in the third quarter of 2013, up 8.4% from US$74.64 billion in the prior quarter, according to SIA.

　　Chip sales for September grew 3.3% on month and 8.7% on year to US$26.97 billion, also hitting a record level, said SIA.

　　"The global semiconductor industry has built impressive momentum through the third quarter of the year and is well-positioned for a strong close to 2013, thanks largely to growing strength in the Americas," said SIA president and CEO Brian Toohey in a statement. "The industry established new monthly and quarterly bests in September, and favorable trend lines indicate continued growth."

　　Regionally, September sales in the Americas increased by 24.3% compared to September 2012, while sales in Asia Pacific and Europe saw on-year growth of 9.9% and 6.4%, respectively during the same period. September sales in Japan, however, declined 12.9% from a year earlier due mainly to the devaluation of the yen.