SAN JOSE -- North American-based suppliers of chip production systems posted a book-to-bill ratio of 1.04 in March--the first reading above parity since November 2000, said the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) trade group today.
The book-to-bill ratio of 1.04 means suppliers were taking in $104 worth of new orders for every $100 of products billed in March. SEMI said suppliers posted $838.8 million in bookings, based on a three-month moving average, while billings were at $808.1 million last month.
"The three-month average billing figure softened slightly from the prior month. However, the overall ratio of bookings to billings rose above unity for the first time in sixteen months, signaling prospects for an improving industry revenue picture in the months ahead," said Stanley Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "While we look for further confirmation of a recovery in the semiconductor equipment market, the improving trends are encouraging."
Bookings in March were up 14% from $737.2 million in February and 30% lower than $1.2 billion in March 2001, said the San Jose-based trade group. The three-month worldwide billings figure was 1% higher in March than $818.0 million in February and 60% below $2.02 billion in March 2001.
