North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted US$1.34 billion in orders worldwide in December 2015 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.99, according to SEMI. A book-to-bill of 0.99 means that US$99 worth of orders were received for every US$100 of product billed for the month.
SEMI reports that the three-month average of worldwide bookings in December 2015 was US$1.34 billion. The bookings figure was 8.6% higher than the final November 2015 level of US$1.24 billion, but 2.8% lower than the December 2014 order level of US$1.38 billion.
The three-month average of worldwide billings in December 2015 was US$1.35 billion. The billings figure is 4.9% higher than the final November 2015 level of US$1.29 billion, but 3.2% lower than the December 2014 billings level of US$1.40 billion.
"Both semiconductor equipment bookings and billings improved in December," said Denny McGuirk, president and CEO of SEMI. "Despite softness in the equipment market in the fourth quarter, both annual bookings and billings in 2015 of North American equipment suppliers remained above 2014 levels."
The SEMI book-to-bill is a ratio of three-month moving averages of worldwide bookings and billings for North American-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers.
Article translated by Jessie Shen
