Global chip industry sales continued in the second quarter as sales grew 17 percent from the first quarter, according to a the trade group Semiconductor Industry Association.

The chip industry is the backbone of everything electronic and so its sales are a bellwether for the tech recovery. Revenues in the second quarter were $51.7 billion, up 17 percent from $44.2 billion the first quarter. Compared to a year ago, sales were down 20 percent from $64.7 billion.

Worldwide sales in June were $17.2 billion, up 3.7 percent from May sales of $16.6 billion and 20 percent lower than $21.6 billion in ...

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