July 2014 printed circuit board (PCB) sales and orders were weaker, but the book-to-bill ratio held steady at parity, according to IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries.

Total North American PCB shipments in July 2014 were down 2.3% from July 2013. Year-to-date shipment growth was considered flat at -0.6%. July 2014 were down 13.0% from June 2014.

PCB bookings were down 6.3% from July 2013, putting the year-to-date order growth rate at -6.1%. Order growth declined 14.4% in July compared to the June 2014.

The North American PCB book-to-bill ratio remained at parity at 1.00 in July.

“July is typically a slow month for the PCB industry and this year is no exception,” said Sharon Starr, IPC’s director of market research. “The PCB book-to-bill ratio has been hovering around 1.00 since February, which explains the flat year-to-date sales growth we are seeing,” she added