Orders for semiconductors increased last month.

The Semiconductor Industry Assn. reported that orders and shipments for U.S. and foreign semiconductor manufacturers rose in the U.S. market. At $801.5 million, September’s billings, or shipments, stood 16.5% higher than in August, 44.2% higher than a cyclical low set in January, 1986, and 19.1% higher than the same month a year ago. Average monthly bookings for the three-month period ending in September reached $676.1 million, 2.4% higher than in August but 17.2% below the most recent high of $816.2 million that was set in April.