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SEMI book-to-bill ratio of 0.93 in February could be best for year
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With memory manufacturers, especially NAND flash producers capital
spending plans front-half year loaded and continued tightening of
spending at the major foundries in 2008, the latest SEMI February 2008
Book-to-Bill ratio of 0.93 for February could be the best figures
presented this year!
SEMI noted that the three-month average of worldwide bookings in
February 2008 was $1.23 billion, up from $1.14 billion in January and a
0.89 book-to-bill ratio but down 12 percent when compared to the
February 2007 billings level of $1.42 billion.
"The three month
average for North American bookings and billings improved slightly in
February, however they remain at levels below those reported last
year," said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. “Though
current inventory and utilization rates are at healthy levels, device
manufacturers are being conservative in their CapEx spending."
The
12 percent decline from a year-ago indicates that further declines
could be expected as the year progresses, especially in the second-half
period when capital spending is expected to fall further than the
first-half of 2008. This could lead to further downward revisions of
total CapEx spending for 2008 from market research firms. Currently the
consensus is in the 15 percent negative range compared to 2007.
