TOKYO -- Japanese semiconductor equipment makers reported orders jumped 22% in May. It was the third straight month of growth, suggesting demand is returning.

The 90-day moving average book-to-bill was 0.66 in May, up 220 basis points from the revised April numbers. A book-to-bill of 0.66 means that for every 100 yen of sales, orders worth 66 yen were received. A reading above 1.0 is considered an indicator of a growing market.