KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 24): North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted US$1.16 billion in orders in December 2011 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.88, according to the US-based Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturers Industry association (SEMI).

In the December book-to-bill report published on Jan 23, SEMI said the bookings figure was 18.5% more than the final November 2011 level of US$977.2 million, and was 26.7% below the US$1.58 billion in orders posted in December 2010.

A book-to-bill of 0.88 means that $88 worth of orders were received for every US$100 of product billed for the month.

SEMI said the three-month average of worldwide billings in December 2011 was US$1.32 billion.

The billings figure was 11.8% more than the final November 2011 level of US$1.18 billion, and 25.2% less than the December 2010 billings level of US$1.76 billion.

SEMI senior director of industry research and statistics Dan Tracy said the December data reflected a further increase in bookings for semiconductor equipment.

“Recent capital spending announcements by leading device manufacturers indicate the potential for continued improvement in 2012,” said Tracy.