LONDON — The three-month moving average of global chip sales is expected to come in at $14.2 billion, down from the $15.1 billion achieved in January, according to analysts at Carnegie Group (Oslo, Norway). This would down by 30 percent on the three-month figure for February 2008, similar to the 30 percent fall shown in January.
As such this would represent a stabilization of a semiconductor sales collapse that has taken place over the four or five months since October 2008.
Actual February chip sales probably fell 27 percent year-on-year compared to a fall of 31 percent in January, according to Bruce Diesen at Carnegie, and could signify a turning point in the market.
Carnegie maintained its forecast that chip sales in 2009 will fall by 13 percent compared with 2008 as expressed in dollar terms.
Chinese tech imports improved in February, probably due to better order books for March exports. PC production improved sharply in China in February, and both Chinese and Korean handset exports improved. Some of that may be due to more working days in February as the Chinese New Year slipped back into January.
In addition, the United States and France have reported improved consumer spending on technology in February, while Japan's consumer spending on technology-based goods is very slow, Diesen said. World car sales improved in February, but driven by the low end, where less electronics is used. | 
Sales-Chitty