SEMI reports that the three-month average of worldwide bookings in October 2015 was $1.33 billion. The bookings figure is 14.7 percent lower than the final September 2015 level of $1.55 billion, and is 20.3 percent higher than the October 2014 order level of $1.10 billion.

The three-month average of worldwide billings in October 2015 was $1.36 billion. The billings figure is 9.1 percent lower than the final September 2015 level of $1.50 billion, and is 14.7 percent higher than the October 2014 billings level of $1.18 billion.

"Both bookings and billings weakened for the second consecutive month; however, year-to-date bookings and billings levels remain above last year's levels," said Denny McGuirk, president and CEO of SEMI. "SEMI will update its 2016 equipment outlook during SEMICON Japan next month."

The SEMI book-to-bill is a ratio of three-month moving averages of worldwide bookings and billings for North American-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers. Billings and bookings figures are in millions of U.S. dollars.