June 16, 2005 - North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.03 billion in orders in May 2005 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.85, according to SEMI. A book-to-bill of 0.85 means that $85 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.

The three-month average of worldwide bookings in May 2005 was $1.03 billion. The bookings figure is 2.7% above the revised April 2005 level of $998.8 million and 34% below the $1.56 billion in orders posted in May 2004.

The three-month average of worldwide billings in May 2005 was $1.21 billion. The billings figure is 2.6% below the revised April 2005 level of $1.24 billion and 15% below the May 2004 billings level of $1.41 billion.

"While some semiconductor manufacturing equipment segments have improved, overall bookings levels have remained relatively constant over the past several months," said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "Total orders for new equipment are lower in comparison to the same period in 2004. However, last year was a tremendously strong growth year and current booking levels are significantly higher than they were in the 2002 and 2003 timeframe."