Semiconductor equipment bookings flat, book-to-bill ratio remains above 1.0
SEMI reports that although the book-to-bill ratio for October slipped from September's results, the semiconductor industry continues its slow recovery.
By Suzanne Deffree, Managing Editor, News -- EDN, November 20, 2009
Describing bookings as flat, SEMI reported that North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $756.2 million in orders in October 2009 and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.10.
The ratio, based on data from SEMI's October 2009 Book-to-Bill Report published Thursday, means that $110 worth of orders was received for every $100 of product billed for the month. The book-to-bill ratio for September was 1.17.
The three-month average of worldwide bookings in October was $756.2 million, slightly less than the final September level of $758.9 million and 9.9% less than the $839.7 million in orders posted in October 2008.
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The three-month average of worldwide billings in October was $689.8 million, 6.4% greater than the final September level of $648.4 million and nearly 21% less than the October 2008 billings level of $871.4 million.
The SEMI report was released this week on the heels of data from SICS (Semiconductor International Capacity Statistics) that said the foundry industry was operating at very near full capacity.
“The SEMI book-to-bill number has been above 1.0 for four months now, reflecting small and generally steady increases as the semiconductor industry continues a slow recovery," said Stanley T Myers, president and CEO of SEMI, in a statement. “Bookings in October 2009 have flattened, and we will continue to watch this number. SEMI maintains our forecast of a slowly improving capital spending outlook for the remainder of 2009 and into next year.”
SEMI book-to-bill data
| Billings | Bookings | Book-to-bill ratio | |
| May | $392.6M | $287.8M | 0.73 |
| June | $440.5M | $351.7M | 0.80 |
| July | $538M | $571.8M | 1.06 |
| August | $580M | $614.5M | 1.06 |
| September | $648.4M | $758.9M | 1.17 |
| October | $689.8M | $756.2M | 1.10 |
Source: SEMI October 2009
