Here's a supply chain article that implies again growing demand for PC's.
NATIONAL POSTS LOSS; BOTTOMED OUT ON BOOKINGS? -- From Santa Clara, Calif., National Semiconductor today reported a loss of $104.8M, or 63 cents per share, on sales of $469.6M for its 1Q99 ended Aug. 30. "Sales continued soft during the summer quarter," said CEO Brian L. Halla. "We think, however, we may have touched bottom as bookings in the first quarter improved for the first time in a year." 1Q99 revenues declined 8% from 4Q98. Net income in the comparable quarter last year was $62.6M, or 38 cents per share, on sales of $656.7M. Lower factory utilization significantly impacted gross margin and profitability as the company reduced inventory levels by $74M in the quarter, it was said. National also initiated production runs in its 0.25-micron wafer fab in South Portland, Maine during the quarter, and completed the closure of a 6-inch fab facility at its Santa Clara site. Quarterly bookings grew 7% over 4Q98. They were sequentially slightly weaker in June, improved in July and were up significantly in August, National noted. Quarterly bookings were down almost 30% compared with last year. PC-related products led the bookings improvement compared with 4Q98. National Semiconductor: 408 721-2871. |
