The US Semiconductor Industry Association’s chip book-to-bill ratio rose to 1.18 from a revised March figure of 1.15, with North American orders exceeding $4,000m for the first time. The ratio was higher than had been forecast. According to the data collected by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics, new orders for semiconductors in April were up 2.3% on the March figure at $4,000m and a storming 46.8% higher than the April 1994 figure. April shipments were flat with March at $3,390m but 35.7% higher than the April 1994 figure. The 1.18 ratio is the highest in more than two years, the highest April ratio in nine years, and it is only the fourth time in those nine years that the April ratio has represented an increase on the March one.
