(March 17, 2006) San Jose, CA &#8212 On a 3-month average basis, North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.30 billion in orders in February 2006 and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.01, according to SEMI’s February 2006 Book-to-Bill Report.

Worldwide bookings in February 2006 was $1.30 billion, nearly 6% higher than the final January 2006 level of $1.23 billion, and almost 27% higher than the $1.02 billion posted in February 2005. Billings in February 2006 was $1.29 billion, or 2% above the final January 2006 level of $1.26 billion, and 3% lower than the February 2005 $1.33 billion billings level.

“Increasing booking and billing levels over the past quarter are indicative of healthy growth, as companies are investing more dollars in technology and capacity,” says Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. “The Book-to-Bill has hit parity for the first time since August 2004, so we are optimistic about growth in the equipment market for 2006.”