Semiconductor equipment book-to-bill ratio drops to 0.86

MAY 20--North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $737 million in orders in April 2003 and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.86, according to Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI; San Jose, CA; www.semi.org). The three-month average of worldwide bookings in April 2003 was $737 million. This bookings figure is 5% below the revised March 2003 level of $777 million and 26% below the $996 million in orders posted in April 2002.

The three-month average of worldwide billings in April 2003 was $854 million. This billings figure is nominally below the revised March 2003 level of $857 million and 5% above the April 2002 billings level of $815 million.

"Despite hopeful indications in last month's figures, orders for new semiconductor manufacturing equipment remain at relatively low levels," said Stanley Myers, SEMI president and chief executive officer. "The April data reflect continuing uncertainty in the broader markets in regard to recovery in consumer and commercial spending."