The Semiconductor Industry Assn. said the three-month...

The Semiconductor Industry Assn. said the three-month average book-to-bill ratio for February rose to 1.18 from 1.13 in January. The figure exceeded estimates from analysts who had expected a flat ratio of 1.13 last month. The ratio of 1.18 means that for every $100 in chips sold in the United States, the manufacturers had $118 in new orders. Three-month average bookings totaled $1.079 billion, up 6.5% from January and 36% above last year. Shipments averaged $913 million. Shipments of semiconductor chips in February totaled $902.5 million, up 6% from January, and up 30% from February, 1987, the association said.