Worldwide orders for semiconductors inched up.

During November, shipments of the devices, which run electronic products, were about flat with the previous month, the Semiconductor Industry Assn. reported. Orders (bookings) in November exceeded $720 million; shipments (billings) were nearly $724 million. That put the book-to-bill ratio at 99 to 100, meaning that for $99 worth of new orders received, manufacturers shipped $100 worth of products. October’s ratio was 97 to 100.