GA Advisory and Valuation Services, a division of Great American Group, LLC (GA), has published its inaugural issue of the Technology Monitor, a bi-annual publication that delivers analysis of technology products from a manufacturing and wholesaling perspective, including industry trends as they relate to the valuation process.

As advancements in technology result in product obsolescence, the Technology Monitor highlights recent market developments as well as emerging trends and technologies that could potentially shift product demand. The Technology Monitor strives to contextualize important indicators and provide insights into the global market.

The March 2015 issue of the Technology Monitor reports that U.S. consumer electronics shipments increased 3.0% in 2014 to a record $216.8 billion. The growth was driven by surging demand for smartphones, tablets, and TVs, which also led to record worldwide semiconductor sales.

GA analysts sees this growth trend continuing in 2015, with  U.S. consumer electronics shipments expected to exceed $223.2 billion in 2015, and smartphones and tablets accounting for 46% of global consumer technology sales.

"We expect semiconductor sales growth to continue in 2015, albeit at a slower pace," noted Paul Arceri, director of GA Advisory and Valuation Services. "Sales will be driven by strong growth in application-specific standard products in smartphones, as well as flash memory in 'ultra mobiles' and solid state drives. We anticipate this growth will be partially offset by a reduction in Dynamic Random-Access Memory or DRAM pricing to more traditional levels as supply and demand become more in line with each other this year."

"We also anticipate smartphones will face a slower growth rate and a lower average price as the market approaches saturation," added Arceri. "While North America will remain a major revenue source for the consumer electronics market, the maturation of the market will result in an increased share of revenue from China, India, and Africa."

To access a copy of GA's March 2015 Technology Monitor, click here.