Book-to-Bill-Ratio Semiconductor market in Germany (Source: ZVEI). [Click for enlarged view]

For the month of December 2006, the german ZVEI (Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie) [Central Association of the Electro-Technical and Electronic Industry in Germany] reports a semiconductor turnover that is substantially below that of November 2006. This was also 6% lower than for the same month of the previous year, after minus 4% in November and minus 2% in October The further weakening of turnover of the IC sector was a special factor in this. Also the dynamics of discrete modules, opto-electronics and sensors weakened somewhat. The expectation of growth, with only 6% has not been fulfilled. In addition, the current strength of the Euro has contributed to the changed figures. As expected, the cumulated turnover for the year 2006 in Germany, according to the intermediate figures, were reduced by 3%. The receipt of orders was slightly less for December compared to November. However, the expectations for the year 2007 are still positive. The Book-To-Bill-Ratio, an indicator of the medium-term trend, at 1.01% was a slight improvement in the past month.