The three-month average of worldwide semiconductor equipment bookings in July was 4.6 percent lower than June, but 2.1 percent higher than July 2012, according to trade association SEMI.
New orders (bookings) totaled $1.27 billion in July, down from $1.33 billion in June, the association said. Orders in July 2012 were $1.23 billion.
The three-month average of worldwide billings (shipments) in July 2013 was also $1.27 billion, which is 4.6 percent higher than June when orders totaled $1.21 billion. Orders were 12 percent lower than July 2012 when $1.44 billion of equipment shipped, according to SEMI.
The semiconductor equipment book-to-bill ratio in July was 1.00, down from 1.10 in June. A ratio of 1.00 means manufacturers received $100 of new orders for every $100 of orders that they shipped in July, the association said.
"Billings for new semiconductor manufacturing equipment continue to increase and the ratio has been at or above parity for the past seven months,” said Denny McGuirk, president and CEO of SEMI. “However, order data moderated slightly in the July report and we will look to the month ahead to determine if this reflects a trend change."
