ATLANTA -- Product sales sentiment among component manufacturers improved between August and September, suggesting the market might be on verge of recovery.

The monthly ECIA Industry Pulse index rose five points to 118.2 in September, as respondents' optimism for future component sales continues to build.

“Once again, the actual survey results fell short of the exuberant forecast in the August survey,” said ECIA chief analyst Dale Ford. “However, the improvement in the index in September and the fourth straight month of index scores solidly above the threshold of 100 is highly encouraging.”

The index forecast for all three component categories converges around 118.3 in the October outlook. Only 1.5 points separate the passive index forecast at 119.1 on the high end and semiconductors at 117.6 on the low side. “Achieving this forecast would be a great start to the fourth quarter sales environment,” Ford said.