SEMI has given tacit confirmation that after 18 months of sequential growth, semiconductor equipment sales are declining. North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted US$1.51 billion in orders in November 2010, generating a book-to-bill ratio of 0.96, down from 0.96 in October and down from 1.23 in July.
“Following a historic growth period and 18 months of sequential growth, and in accordance with seasonal trends, sales of semiconductor equipment eased in November,” said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "This tracks the bookings trend which peaked in July.”
The three-month average of worldwide bookings in November 2010 was US$1.51 billion. The bookings figure is 5.3% lower than the final October 2010 level is 90.6% above the US$791.8 million in orders posted in November 2009.
The three-month average of worldwide billings in November 2010 was US$1.57 billion, down 3.4% from the prior month.