The recovery in the November, 2008 book-to-bill ratio to 1.00 is due to billings of semiconductor equipment falling faster than bookings, according to SEMI’s latest Book-to-Bill Report for North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment. This is the first time in more than a year that parity had been reached. Orders came in at US$805 million.
Bookings have basically declined throughout the year, reaching a current low point in September, with bookings down to US$649.9 million. The peak was reached in February when bookings topped US$1,228 million. However, the string of announcements form major equipment suppliers regarding fourth quarter revenues, suggest bookings could decline to lower levels than set in September.
The three-month average of worldwide bookings in November 2008 was $805.4 million, which was approximately 4% less than in October and approximately 29% less than the $1.13 billion in orders posted in November 2007.
The billings three-month average in November 2008 was $807.3 million, approximately 7% lower than the final October 2008 level of $871.4 million, and approximately 42% lower than the November 2007 billings level of $1.38 billion.