TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Semiconductor Orders Rise: The semiconductor industry’s book-to-bill ratio dipped to 1.18 in February from a revised 1.20 in January, the Semiconductor Industry Assn. said. February bookings--orders based on a three-month moving average--rose 0.8% to $2.07 billion in February from $2.05 billion in January. Bookings were 39.9% above year-earlier levels. Billings--shipments based on a three-month moving average--increased 2.2% to $1.75 billion from $1.71 billion. Billings were 31.4% higher than a year earlier. A book-to-bill ratio of 1.18 means that for every $100 worth of orders shipped, manufacturers received $118 worth of new orders.