North American semi equipment April sales dip reflects conservative industry mood, SEMI says

SEMI president and CEO Stanley T. Myers noted that a number of fab projects have been put on-hold or delayed until next year, and the current equipment data reflects this activity.

By Ann Steffora Mutschler, Senior Editor -- Electronic News, 5/21/2008

Reflecting the ongoing conservative mood of the semiconductor industry, North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.07 billion in orders in April on a three-month average basis, and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.81 according to Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), the industry association serving the manufacturing supply chains for the microelectronic, display and photovoltaic industries.

A book-to-bill ratio of 0.81 means that $81 worth of orders was received for every $100 of product billed for the month, SEMI reminded.

In terms of worldwide bookings in April, the three-month average was $1.07 billion, which is approximately 8% less than the final March level of $1.17 billion, and almost 32% less than the $1.57 billion in orders posted in April 2007.

The three-month average of worldwide billings in April was $1.32 billion, which is about 2% less than the final March level of $1.34 billion, and about 17% less than the April 2007 billings level of $1.59 billion.

SEMI president and CEO Stanley T. Myers noted that a number of fab projects have been put on-hold or delayed until next year, and the current equipment data reflects this activity.

SEMI Book-to-Bill Ratio (in millions of US dollars)

(Source: SEMI)