- 18 March 2005 -

SEMI book to bill at 0.78

North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.03bn in orders in February 2005 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.78 according to the February 2005 Book-to-Bill Report.

The bookings figure is 4% up on the revised January 2004 level of $0.but 22% below the $1.32bn posted in February 2004. The three-month billings average in February 2005 was $1.32 billion or 5% above the revised January 2004 level of $1.26bn and 15 % above February 2004 $1.14bn billings level.

"Current three-month average bookings are at a level observed in late 2003," said Dan P. Tracy, senior director of SEMI Industry Research & Statistics. "Given the 300-mm investment and ramp underway worldwide, the expectation
remains for a much more moderated equipment cycle in 2005 compared
to the 2001/2002 time frame."