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Equipment bookings continue slippery slide
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Although semiconductor equipment bookings have seen a rapid fall in the last few months, values remain considerably higher than two years ago. North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted US$1.18 billion in orders in August 2011 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.80, according to the August Book-to-Bill Report issued by SEMI. Uncharacteristically, SEMI was downbeat over a near-term recovery, citing demand issues and capex reductions.
“Weaker DRAM demand, foundry spending reductions and near-term uncertainties about electronics demand are reflected in declining sales trends for new semiconductor manufacturing equipment,” said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. “Consequently, the SEMI 3-month average billings are at levels last seen in June of 2010.”
According to SEMI, the bookings figure is 8.8% less than the final July 2011 level of US$1.30 billion, and is 34.8% below the US$1.82 billion in orders posted in August 2010, which was just lower than the previous month peak levels over the last year and the last upward cycle.
The three-month average of worldwide billings in August 2011 was US$1.48 billion, 3.0% less than the final July 2011 level of US$1.52 billion, and is 5.1% less than the August 2010 billings level of US$1.55 billion.
