SAN JOSE – North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $884 million in orders in August and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.83, says SEMI. It marks the lowest 90-day average order level since 2003.
 
This figure is about even with the revised July figure of $889 million, and about 36% less than last year.
 
The three-month average of worldwide billings was $1.07 billion, down about 1% sequentially and almost 37% year-over-year.
 
“As we approach the end of the third quarter, orders for semiconductor manufacturing equipment remain very weak compared to 2006 and 2007 levels,” said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. “While there are indications of resumed spending in 2009, current economic conditions, industry oversupply and economic uncertainty have resulted in the lowest three-month average order level since 2003.”