(August 19, 2005) San Jose, Calif. &#8212 In July 2005, and on a 3-month average, North American-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers posted $1.02 billion in orders and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.93, according to SEMI’s July 2005 Book-to-Bill Report.

The $1.02 billion worldwide bookings figure is about 2% below the revised June 2005 level of $1.04 billion, and 36% below the $1.59 billion in orders posted in July 2004. Worldwide billings in July 2005 was $1.10 billion &#8212 5% below the revised June 2005 level of $1.15 billion, and 28% below the July 2004 billings level of $1.53 billion.

“North American providers of new semiconductor manufacturing equipment continue to post overall bookings levels in 2005 that are below those in 2004, but stronger than the prior year,” says Stanley T. Myers, SEMI’s president and CEO. “The current data suggests that semiconductor manufacturers continue to remain somewhat cautious about increased capital spending as we enter the second half of the year.”