Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Semi Gear Orders Bring in $1.2B in March

SAN JOSE – North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.16 billion in orders in March and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.89, according to SEMI. Bookings are down 4% from February and about 18% year-over-year.

The three-month average of worldwide billings in March was $1.29 billion, about 1% less than February and down 10% from March last year. The book-to-bill of 0.89 means that for every $100 worth of sales, $89 worth of orders were placed. A ratio of 1.0 or higher is generally seen as a sign of an expanding market.

“Orders reported by North American equipment manufacturers have remained at relatively constant levels over the past six months,” said Dan Tracy, senior director of industry research and statistics at SEMI. “This trend is a reflection of the uncertainty in the semiconductor industry, and with current economic conditions.