North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted a July book-to-bill ratio of 1.11, reports Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International.

Purchasing, October, 1999

North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted a July book-to-bill ratio of 1.11, reports Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International. A book-to-bill of 1.11 means $111 in orders were received for each $100 worth of products shipped. The three-month average of shipments in July was $1.3 billion, essentially flat with the June 1999 level, yet 14% better than the July 1998 shipment level of $1.1 billion.

"The leveling of orders we're seeing at this stage of the recovery is consistent with analysts' predictions for slow and relatively steady growth in this cycle," says Stanley Myers, semi president.