| |
Narotham, thanks for the Intel post. Here's a little bit more about the semi equip action today from WSJ Interactive Edition tonight, note the comments from ML analyst about the currency crisis which I don't think had been posted yet:
"But some analysts remain confident that U.S. companies won't lose significant sales of chip equipment because of cheaper gear from overseas companies, noting that the U.S. firms' products are among the most sophisticated. Robert Maire, an analyst at Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities, said he was contemplating upgrading the sector, since many of the equipment companies have recently presented strong earnings reports.
"Demand from all the chip-equipment companies continues to be positive," he said. "Basically, we're not changing our opinion."
One example was KLA, which Tuesday reported better-than-expected earnings. The San Jose, Calif., company posted net income of $50 million, or 56 cents a share, for its fiscal first quarter, compared with $34 million, or 40 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. That figure exceeded the First Call consensus figure of 52 cents a share. Revenue was $312 million, up from $261 million in the year-ago quarter.
U.S. companies that do overseas business in dollars may also be protected from the turmoil wracking Asian markets.
"We don't see any great effect from the Asian currency crisis," said Robert Stern, an analyst at Merrill Lynch. "The semiconductor-equipment companies transact in dollars, so they're not subject to the currency pressures."
Mr. Stern said the firms' current weakness represented a good buying opportunity."
Regards,
Marty |
|
