NA semiconductor equipment industry posts Dec. 2012 book-to-bill ratio of 0.92

USA: North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $924.1 million in orders worldwide in December 2012 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.92, according to the December Book-to-Bill Report published by SEMI. A book-to-bill of 0.92 means that $92 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.

The three-month average of worldwide bookings in December 2012 was $924.1 million. The bookings figure is 28.6 percent higher than the revised November 2012 level of $718.6 million, and is 16.2 percent lower than the December 2011 order level of $1.10 billion.

The three-month average of worldwide billings in December 2012 was $1.01 billion. The billings figure is 10.6 percent higher than the revised November 2012 level of $910.1 million, and is 22.6 percent less than the December 2011 billings level of $1.30 billion.

“Both bookings and billings increased in December, but remain below figures reported one year ago,” said Denny McGuirk, president and CEO of SEMI.  “While uncertainty remains regarding the 2013 equipment outlook, the foundry and advanced packaging segments are the key investment drivers at the beginning of the year.”