TECHNOLOGY - Feb. 10, 1993

Semiconductor Book-to-Bill Ratio Hits 5-Year High: The semiconductor industry’s book-to-bill ratio rose to its highest level in more than five years in January, the Semiconductor Industry Assn. said. The closely watched indicator of the health of the computer chip industry rose to 1.19 in January, from a revised 1.11 in December, the SIA said. It was the highest level since May, 1987, when the ratio stood at 1.24. A book-to-bill ratio of 1.19 means that for every $100 worth of products shipped, manufacturers received new orders worth $119.