Group Predicts Rise in Chip Sales

Worldwide sales of semiconductors are forecast to rise 56% in three years to $319 billion, spurred by sales of chips used in personal computers, communications devices and wireless networks, the Semiconductor Industry Assn. said. Revenue will rise 37% to $205 billion this year and climb 22% to $249 billion next year, the industry group predicted. Sales in North and South America will rise 34% this year to $64 billion and will climb to $96 billion by 2003. Sales are rising at a faster pace in Asia. The SIA raised its forecasts from those it made in June, when it said chip sales would climb 31% to $195 billion this year.