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Technology Stocks : Semi Equipment Analysis
SOXX 276.98-2.3%4:00 PM EST

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To: RMP who wrote (4109)7/17/2002 8:46:11 PM
From: Crossy  Read Replies (2) of 95427
 
Ron,
thx for bringing KLAC news to our attention. Seems like its credentials come with a valuation premium not to underestimate. At $44 it commands a Price/Sales ratio of around 5..

The whole segment KLAC operates in is interesting. Broadly defined as "metrology", the measuring of dimensions or any other physical, electrical or chemical property in a semiconductor production process..

Other US domestic players include NANO, TWAV, RTEC and to some extent maybe also TMO and COHR
Foreign players include Dai Nippon Screen, Kokusai Electric, JEOL, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Shimadzu and Topcon - all listed in Japan, either on Tokyo's 1st section or on the OTC. The ther's German Firm Tepla AG which lists in Frankfurt. The intersting point here is that Japanese and Germany's firms in the metrology sector are usually way cheaper and have mostly completed their turnaround as well.

I checked PSR ratios with Topcon (PSR 0.25) and Shimadzu (PSR 0.45) and Tepla AG (PSR 0.45) but the German firm is going to become profitable again next year while the japan companies are already in the black now.

Since a rising tide should lift all the boats, I expect the whole metrology sector to do rather well in the comeback of the technology sector. I just would think that the Japanese players return should outperform their US counterparts because of the rather large valuation differential...

rgrds
CROSSY
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