01.29.2001
SEMI Book-to-Bill declines further

• Dec. 2000 Semiconductor Equipment & Materials Int'l (SEMI) book-to-bill declined to 1.03, from 1.12 in Nov. 2000. Overall, bookings declined 9.6% MoM and 14.8% QoQ, while shipment declined 2.4% MoM and 3.9% QoQ.

• In regards to front & back-end demand, Dec. 2000 front-end bookings declined 13% QoQ & 10% MoM; back-end fell 22% QoQ & 6% MoM.

• These statistics reflect the general trend toward capex reduction and pushout in the semiconductor sector. Taiwan foundries have already announced cutbacks of capacity expansion for existing fabs that represent 10% of previously committed 2001 capex. DRAM manufacturers are also delaying capex plans due to both fund-raising and DRAM pricing concerns.

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