KUALA LUMPUR (April 20): North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor posted $1.48 billion in orders in March 2012 (3-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.13, according to the US-based Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturers Industry association (SEMI).
A book-to-bill of 1.13 means that $113 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.
In its March Book-to-Bill Report released on April 19, SEMI said the 3-month average of worldwide bookings in March 2012 was $1.48 billion.
“The bookings figure is 10.7% higher than the final February 2012 level of $1.34 billion, and is 6.4% below the $1.58 billion in orders posted in March 2011,” it said.
The report also stated that the 3-month average of worldwide billings in March 2012 was $1.31 billion.
However, the billings figure was 0.9% less than the final February 2012 level of $1.32 billion, and was 20.9% less than the March 2011 billings level of $1.66 billion, it said.
SEMI president and chief executive officer Denny McGuirk said that the equipment orders continued to increase and have improved to the highest reported value since July 2011.
"The semiconductor equipment market outlook has strengthened since the beginning of the year as reflected in the increasing bookings rate,” he said.
Meanwhile, RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd said on Friday that this was the second consecutive month of book-to-bill above parity as equipment orders in Mar grew by 10.7% month-on-month (Feb: 12.6% m-o-m) to US$1.48 billion.
“Moreover, on year-on-year basis, Mar orders decline of 6.4% y-o-y narrowed from a decline of 16.2% in Feb.
“The positive capex momentum data supports our view that the industry is on track for stronger recovery expected to commence in the 2H2012,” it said.
RHB Research has a Neutral recommendation on the semiconductor sector.
A book-to-bill of 1.13 means that $113 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.
In its March Book-to-Bill Report released on April 19, SEMI said the 3-month average of worldwide bookings in March 2012 was $1.48 billion.
“The bookings figure is 10.7% higher than the final February 2012 level of $1.34 billion, and is 6.4% below the $1.58 billion in orders posted in March 2011,” it said.
The report also stated that the 3-month average of worldwide billings in March 2012 was $1.31 billion.
However, the billings figure was 0.9% less than the final February 2012 level of $1.32 billion, and was 20.9% less than the March 2011 billings level of $1.66 billion, it said.
SEMI president and chief executive officer Denny McGuirk said that the equipment orders continued to increase and have improved to the highest reported value since July 2011.
"The semiconductor equipment market outlook has strengthened since the beginning of the year as reflected in the increasing bookings rate,” he said.
Meanwhile, RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd said on Friday that this was the second consecutive month of book-to-bill above parity as equipment orders in Mar grew by 10.7% month-on-month (Feb: 12.6% m-o-m) to US$1.48 billion.
“Moreover, on year-on-year basis, Mar orders decline of 6.4% y-o-y narrowed from a decline of 16.2% in Feb.
“The positive capex momentum data supports our view that the industry is on track for stronger recovery expected to commence in the 2H2012,” it said.
RHB Research has a Neutral recommendation on the semiconductor sector.
