The ECIA North American sales sentiment survey reported that sales of electronic components were unchanged according to the actual results for March and the outlook for April 2025.
Overall sales sentiment for electronic components remains relatively unchanged from February, as evidenced by the actual results for March and the outlook for April.
The overall index experienced a slight decline of 0.7 to 112.5 in March and is projected to drop further to 111.3 in April. This positive and stable assessment is encouraging as the year 2025 progresses.
Semiconductor sales sentiment has been declining for the past two months, while Passive Components and Electro-Mechanical Devices have either experienced slight improvements or remained relatively stable. Semiconductors reached the threshold of 100 in March. Every semiconductor category has witnessed weakening sentiment, with MCU/MPU dropping almost to 80.
Fortunately, other segments remain relatively stable, with the overall index averaging around 100. Notably, all subcategories remained at or above 100 in March, except for MPU/MCU. In the April outlook, there is an expectation for MCU/MPU to rebound to 100, which would support a recovery in overall Semiconductor sentiment to nearly 113 in the April forecast. The sentiment for all three component categories is projected to settle within a narrow range between 108.4 and 112.9 in April.
Distributors emerged as the most positive group among survey respondents in the March ECST survey, reaffirming their customary position. While Manufacturer Representatives and Manufacturers both reported positive sentiments, the overall sentiment for all three component categories is expected to remain relatively stable in April.
It is hoped that this sustained positive sales sentiment will meet expectations and continue the momentum throughout the remainder of 2025.
Uniform positive views of market sentiment characterized Distributors, while they were much more conservative than the previous ECST survey. Following lofty expectations in the prior survey, the overall index score for end markets fell back into alignment with the component sentiment in March.
The April forecast shows a continued slump, with the index dropping to 105.6. Automotive and Consumer Electronics continue to trend significantly below the 100-point threshold, while Computers also dropped below 100 in March. Only Avionics/Military/Space, Industrial, and Medical Electronics sustain an overall positive sales sentiment above 100 in the April forecast. As a final note, the reported lead-time trends remain highly stable in March.
