A report from the SIA (Semiconductor Industry Association) today is the second in a week making very positive statements on the first half of the year. According to the SIA, global semiconductor sales increase 7.1% sequentially in Q2 to reach $74.8 billion.  June sales of $24.9 billion capped off the quarter and were 0.5% higher than May sales of $24.8 billion, the industry group;s data showed. June also capped off 2010;s first half, which showed a more than 50% improvement on 2009 first half sales, the SIA said.  Sales in the first half of 2010 were exceptionally robust, driven by strong demand from a broad range of end markets, said Brian Toohey, the new president of the SIA, in a statement. Worldwide semiconductor sales of $144.6 billion for the first half of 2010 were more than 50% higher than the same period of 2009 when sales were $96.1 billion. We expect that sequential growth rates will moderate in the coming months, with the result that year-on-year growth for the industry will be in line with our mid-year forecast of 28.4%. The SIA noted that the extraordinary year-on-year sales growth reflects not only strong demand from key end markets but also the effects of the industry slowdown in the first half of 2009.  Macroeconomic factors such as consumer confidence, job growth, and overall economic growth continue to bear watching for their possible impact on sales in the second half, Toohey concluded.  Market research company IC Insights also last week reported that collectively the top 20 semiconductor companies had sales of about $102 billion in the first half. IC Insights expects total 2010 semiconductor industry sales to reach $310 billion.  SIA data  Month-to-month sales in billions of dollars