The chip book to bill ratio, published by the Semiconductor Industry Association late Monday, slipped in August from July’s revised 1.23, coming in at a provisional 1.18. Analysts said the 1.18 ratio for August was respectable and actually disguised a stronger-than-expected report, but because both sides of the ratio rose, with sales gaining a little more than orders, the ratio stayed about the same – it was expected to slow in August from July because of the traditional seasonal slowdown of the semiconductor industry. May orders were the peak and the trough will be in October, said one analyst. North American chip makers shipped $3,880m of semiconductors in August, up from $3,780m in July and $2,800m in August one year ago. Seasonally adjusted orders eased 1.3% to $4,580m in August from a record $4,640m in July. World Semiconductor Trade Statistics sees $44,900m for the year.
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