20th Mar 09
North American semiconductor equipment
Feb 09 orders: 5% down from Jan 09
Semiconductor industry association SEMI (Semiconductor
Equipment and Materials International) has reported that,
North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment
posted $263.5 million in orders in February 2009 (three-month
average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.48.
This is about five percent less than the final Jan 2009
level of $277.2 million, and about 78 percent less than
the $1.21 billion in orders posted in Feb 2008.
"These are the lowest bookings levels we've seen since
SEMI began compiling data for the book-to-bill program in
1991," said Dan Tracy, senior director of Industry
Research and Statistics at SEMI. "Spending and investments
remain at minimal levels as the semiconductor industry waits
for clearer signals indicating improvement in end market
demand."
Is this the lowest level? At least the sharp falling curve
is turning flat; hope the lowest point ends in Q1 09.
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