North American semiconductor equipment industry posts Sept. 2011 book-to-bill ratio of 0.75

SAN JOSE, USA: North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $984.8 million in orders in September 2011 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.75, according to the September Book-to-Bill Report published today by SEMI. A book-to-bill of 0.75 means that $75 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.

The three-month average of worldwide bookings in September 2011 was $984.8 million. The bookings figure is 15.3 percent less than the final August 2011 level of $1.16 billion, and is 40.4 percent below the $1.65 billion in orders posted in September 2010.

The three-month average of worldwide billings in September 2011 was $1.31 billion. The billings figure is 9.8 percent less than the final August 2011 level of $1.46 billion, and is 18.4 percent less than the September 2010 billings level of $1.61 billion.

“Both billings and booking continue to decline with three-month average bookings almost reaching a value last reported in late 2009,” said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. “While device makers are investing in advanced technology, broader investments await stability in the overall economic outlook.”Source: SEMI, USA.