TOKYO – Japan-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $677.7 million in orders in September, up 11% sequentially and down 22.2% year-over-year, according to the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan.
 
September billings were $530.8 million, up 25% sequentially and down 42.2% compared to September 2008, says SEAJ.
 
On a three-month average basis, the September book-to-bill ratio was 1.28, down from August but well above the 1.0 benchmark indicating a growing market. A book-to-bill ratio of 1.28 means ¥128 worth of new orders was received for every ¥100 of product billed for the month.
 
$1 = ¥90.845