KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 21): North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted US$2.24 billion in billings worldwide in August 2018, according to the U.S.-based Semiconductor Equipment & Materials International’s (SEMI) November Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) Billings Report.

In a statement on its website Sept 20, SEMI said said the billings figure is 5.9% lower than the final July 2018 level of US$2.38 billion, and is 2.5% higher than the August 2017 billings level of US$2.18 billion.

SEMI president and CEO Ajit Manocha said global billings of North American equipment suppliers declined in August when compared to July, although they remain above August 2017 billings.

“Industry spending remains solid and we expect equipment expenditures in North America, China, Japan, and Taiwan to increase over their respective levels relative to the first half of the year,” he said.