The semiconductor industry's leading indicator showed continued strength as United States semiconductor orders reached another all-time high in April, a trade group reported today.

At the opening bell, technology issues slumped in reaction to a report, issued late Thursday, that showed weakness in semiconductor orders for June.

The trade group's index compares semiconductor orders with shipments.

Motorola rose 1 7/8, to 72 1/2, with analysts reacting favorably to strong semiconductor orders for the three months ended in April.

The semiconductor industry's leading indicator showed continued strength in March, as United States semiconductor orders and shipments increased, a trade group reported today.

He forecasts a crash in semiconductor orders.

And Motorola, while reporting results that modestly exceeded estimates, had declining semiconductor orders.

On an encouraging note, new semiconductor orders rose 8 percent, to $1.4 billion, the strongest figure in 11 quarters.

Despite early signs of softness in semiconductor orders, it geared up to sell 500 to 600 steppers in 1985 at more than a million dollars apiece.

The company said semiconductor orders were a little soft in January but the company expects a pickup in February.