Semiconductor Sales Fall

Worldwide sales of semiconductors fell 4.5% in March as slowing economies and an inventory buildup cut into sales, an industry group said. March sales dropped to $14.4 billion from $15.07 billion a year earlier, the Semiconductor Industry Assn. said in its monthly report. Sales declined 7% from February sales of $15.48 billion. Sales were lower in every product sector and most geographic regions, the SIA said. Some analysts and companies expect semiconductor demand to recover later in the year. Intel Corp., the No. 1 computer chip maker, said last month that demand began to pick up in March.