The North American semiconductor equipment industry is on the way back up, according to Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI). SEMI reported a bill-to-book ratio of 1.10 for January 1999. A ratio of 1.10 means that $110 in orders were received for $100 of products shipped. The ratio has been rising for four consecutive months, but this is the first time that the orders coming in have exceeded the products going out.
SEMI SEES RECOVERY IN NORTH AMERICAN MARKET
