VLSI Research: "May's Semi. Eqpt. B:B Ratio Reaches 1.16"
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>>>6/17/2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Aida Jebens
Email ajebens@vlsiresearch.com
Tel: (408) 453-8844 Fax: (408) 437-0608
VLSI RESEARCH INC
May’s Semiconductor Equipment Book-to-Bill Ratio Reaches 1.16
San Jose, CA—Worldwide equipment billings amounted to $2.64B in May, while bookings were
at $3.07B, according to the June 15 edition of VLSI Research Inc’s Industry Pulse Pro ®. The
resulting book-to-bill ratio was 1.16. This figure is below the April ratio and reflects the general
concern of a double dip. However, while momentum in bookings activity slowed in May, the
dollar value of bookings were still up over April. Of the total billings in May, $1.61B were for wafer
processing equipment, $0.52 for test and related equipment, $0.16 for assembly, and $0.35 for
service and spares. VLSI Research’s forecast for June calls for billings of $2.6B and bookings of
almost $3.4B for a B:B ratio of 1.3. One reason driving this is the continued improvement in
capacity utilization. After breaking the 80% barrier in April, front-end capacity utilization rate rose
to 82.6% in May. The capacity outlook remains bright as utilization is expected to hit 87% in
June.
IC sales remained strong in May despite weakening DRAM prices. VLSI Research’s preliminary
data for May have IC bookings at $11.4B and IC billings at $9.6, yielding a B:B ratio of 1.18 on a
three-month average basis. The IC billings represent the average of WSTS sales data for March
and April and VLSI Research’s estimate for May. The IC B:B ratio is expected to move up to 1.44
during June, when bookings are forecast at $13.5 and billings are at about $10.8B.<<< |
