October 19, 2005 – Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) has reported that North American-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers posted $1.09 billion in orders in September 2005 (a three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.02. A B:B of 1.02 means that $102 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.

The three-month average of worldwide bookings in September 2005 was $1.09 billion, ~1% below the revised August 2005 level of $1.10 billion and 19% below the $1.35 billion in orders posted in September 2004. The three-month average of worldwide billings in September 2005 was $1.07 billion, 1% above the revised August 2005 level of $1.06 billion and 26% below the September 2004 billings level of $1.44 billion.

Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI, said, “The book-to-bill ratio is above parity for the second month sequentially, with bookings and billings remaining essentially unchanged from the prior three-month average period.” He further noted that chipmakers are keeping “conservative spending patterns,” but that there are signs of improved capacity utilization levels.