(June 17, 2005) San Jose, Calif. &#8212 On a 3-month average basis, North American-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers posted $1.03 billion in orders and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.85 in May 2005, according to SEMI’s published May 2005 Book-to-Bill Report. This book-to-bill figure shows that $85 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.

In May 2005, the 3-month worldwide bookings average was $1.03 billion. The bookings figure is 2.7% above the revised April 2005 level of $998.8 million, and 34% below the $1.56 billion in orders posted one year ago. The 3-month average of worldwide billings in May 2005 was $1.21 billion &#8212 2.6% below the revised April 2005 level of $1.24 billion, and 15% below the billings level of $1.41 billion in the year-ago period.

“While some semiconductor manufacturing equipment segments have improved, overall bookings levels have remained relatively constant over the past several months,” claims Stanley T. Myers, SEMI president and CEO. “Total orders for new equipment are lower in comparison to the same period in 2004. However, last year was a tremendously strong growth year and current booking levels are significantly higher than they were in the 2002 and 2003 time frame.”