BANNOCKBURN, IL – North American PCB shipments in August were down 26.4% compared to the same month last year, and were down 35.7% compared to July, IPC reported in its North American Printed Circuit Board Statistical Program report.

The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.00.

PCB bookings in August were down 29% compared to the same month last year and were down 36.8% compared to July.

"August PCB results were weak, with both orders and shipments failing," said Shawn DuBravac, IPC’s chief economist. "While the book-to-bill remains balanced, levels are well below the recent trend."

The book-to-bill ratios are calculated by dividing the value of orders booked over the past three months by the value of sales billed during the same period from companies in IPC’s survey sample. A ratio of more than 1.00 suggests that current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next three to twelve months. A ratio of less than 1.00 indicates the reverse.