KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 5): Technology-related stocks on Bursa Malaysia advanced at mid-morning today after global sales of semiconductors rose 17.4% year-on-year in July to US$39.5 billion from US$33.6 billion a year earlier.

At 11.05am, the technology index on Bursa Malaysia rose 0.90% or 0.37 points to 41.33.

Among the advancing stocks, Unisem (M) Bhd added 2.76% to RM2.98, Mi Equipment Holdings Bhd up 5.53% to RM2.67, Pentamaster Corp Bhd gained 1.71% to RM3.58 while ViTrox Corp Bhd added 1.42% to RM7.58.

In a statement Sept 4 on its website, the U.S.-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) said the worldwide sales in July 2018 were 0.4% higher than the June 2018 total of US$39.3 billion.

All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organisation and represent a three-month moving average.

SIA president and CEO John Neuffer said the global semiconductor industry posted its highest-ever monthly sales in July, easily outpacing last July and narrowly ahead of last month’s total.

“Sales were up year-to-year across every major semiconductor product category and regional market, with the China and Americas markets leading the way with growth of greater than 20%,” he said.

SIA said that regionally, sales increased compared to July 2017 in China (29.4%), the Americas (20.7%), Europe (11.7%), Japan (11.5%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (5.7%).

It said sales were up compared to last month in China (1.7%) and the Americas (0.4%), held flat in Asia Pacific/All Other, and decreased slightly in Japan (-0.1%), and Europe (-2.4%).