Semiconductor orders increased sharply in March.

Billings, or shipments, of semiconductors for March totaled $912.1 million, 34.6% higher than February’s $677.8 million and 20.6% higher than the $756.2 million in March of last year, the Semiconductor Industry Assn. reported. The result was a book-to-bill ratio for March of 1.21, the sixth straight month the ratio has increased. The book-to-bill ratio of 1.21 means that for every $100 worth of product shipped, or billed, manufacturers received $121 worth of new orders, or bookings. March bookings were 20.2% higher than the $745.5 million for March, 1986. The last time bookings were higher was in September, 1984.