KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 23): North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted US$2.02 billion in billings worldwide in October 2017, according to the U.S.-based Semiconductor Equipment & Materials International’s (SEMI) July Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) Billings Report.

In a statement on its website Nov 21, SEMI reported that the three-month average of worldwide billings of North American equipment manufacturers in October 2017 was US$2.02 billion.

It said the billings figure is 1.8% lower than the final September 2017 level of US$2.05 billion, and is 23.7% higher than the October 2016 billings level of US$1.63 billion.

SEMI president and CEO Ajit Manocha said equipment billings dipped in October, the fourth consecutive monthly decline during this record spending year.

“In spite of this seasonal weakness, we expect equipment spending to increase by 30% or more this year and are positive about growth in 2018,’ he said.