IC-equipment book-to-bill falls to 0.90 in September
Semiconductor Business News
(10/16/02 02:04 p.m. EST)
SAN JOSE--Reflecting the current and severe IC downturn, the worldwide book-to-bill ratio for semiconductor equipment fell from 0.92 in August, to 0.90 in September, according to a report from VLSI Research Inc. here today.
And it could go from bad to worse. The book-to-bill ratio for the worldwide equipment industry could fall to 0.86 in October, according to the San Jose-based market research house.
Worldwide revenues amounted to $2.92 billion, while bookings were at $2.6 billion for September, according to the firm. This compares to revenues of $2.3 billion and bookings of $2.1 billion in August.
Of the total billings in September, $1.72 billion were for wafer processing equipment, $650 million for test and related equipment, $200 million for assembly, and $340 million for service and spares, the report said.
“September, typically a strong month for equipment makers, came in weaker than expected,” according to the report. “September revenues were 25% higher than in August and represented the highest dollar amount to date for 2002,” it said.
“However, they came in lower than the previous forecast of $2.98 [billion]. September bookings were also lower than forecasted and are still below the March/April bookings levels. With the current investment climate, the equipment B:B ratio is expected to drop further to 0.86 in October,” according to VLSI Research. |
