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Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Duker who wrote (32099)	8/19/1999 7:16:00 AM
From: orkrious	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Jeez Duker, I'll bet you failed Creative Writing 101 at Mass Bay Community College. :-) Jay

To: Duker who wrote (32099)	8/19/1999 8:28:00 AM
From: FLSTF97	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Duker, I take it this analysis is rooted in the "Only the paranoid survive" theorem! It's now clear that the End is near and it really had nothing to do with total eclipses. Add this to your calamity picture. Rumors of Infineon actually formulating a team to introduce their next 300 mm Fab forces AMAT to increase capital expenditures to tool for the onslaught of 300 mm systems. The C&E is dramatically reduced from $2.2 bil to $2.198 bil. You're right: time to bail!

To: Duker who wrote (32099)	8/19/1999 9:29:00 AM
From: dr_elis	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Looking at a 5-year chart suggests a possible low around 50. Michael

To: Duker who wrote (32099)	8/19/1999 9:52:00 AM
From: steve olivier	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Duker, thanks for your comments. I guess we should all stop worrying about y2k, because it sounds like the world will come to an end before then :-) I am buying anyway.

To: Duker who wrote (32099)	8/19/1999 9:57:00 AM
From: 16yearcycle	Respond to of 70976

ROTFLMAO! Thanks for taking the time to do that post.

To: Duker who wrote (32099)	8/19/1999 10:01:00 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Duker, Great post. Some AMAT news: seminews.com Applied Materials integrates metrology with CVD system A service of Semiconductor Business News, CMP Media Inc. Story posted 9 a.m. EST/6 a.m., PST, 8/19/99 SANTA CLARA, Calif -- Applied Materials Inc. here said today that it has integrated metrology capability on its Producer chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system. The NanoSpec 9000i thin film analyzer enables users to run their processes at very high throughput rates while closely monitoring the thickness, uniformity and refractive index of single or multiple-layer films deposited on wafers. Producer systems equipped with the film thickness measurement analyzer are the first in a new suite of integrated wafer monitoring options, called Producer QA. The NanoSpec 9000i, developed by Nanometrics Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif., is exclsuive to Applied Materials' CVD systems. "Today, dielectric deposition systems essentially run blind between monitor checks," said Kevin Fairbairn, general manager of PECVD products at Applied Materials. "With the thin film analyzer, customers can have real-time measurement and statistical process control capability for every wafer." This will be an especially critical capability as the semiconductor industry moves below 0.18 micron geometries and demands higher levels of process control to meet performance and yield objectives, Fairbairn noted. The integrated NanoSpec unit features measurement of film thickness, uniformity and refractive index on bare or patterned wafers. The technology, capable of measuring single or multiple-layers, has been demonstrated with up to a five-layer in situ-deposited dual damascene stack comprised of PECVD (plasma enhanced CVD) silicon dioxide, silicon nitride and dielectric anti-reflective coating (DARC) layers. The NanoSpec unit is fully programmable to inspect a range of designated wafer types, including specific wafers identified by fab management systems. Measurement data can be easily used to manage yield, improve operator efficiency and quickly detect any process excursions. It also features statistical process control capabilities, aids in more rapid process modeling and diagnosis, and speeds system re-qualification after maintenance. Existing Producer systems can also be retrofitted with integrated metrology capability. The NanoSpec unit has also been integrated on Applied Materials' Mirra Mesa CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) system.

To: Duker who wrote (32099)	8/19/1999 1:08:00 PM
From: Robert O	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

while improving its 33% share of the market ... because that could draw the ire of the Justice Department ... then, we could have the litigation cloud hanging over our heads And look what happened to MSFT after the Justice Dept. got their claws into 'em. Well, okay bad example. Also, stop using red herrings, you sly dog, in an attempt to confuse. The REAL issue isn't cash flow, it's just cash. Now the way I figure it, $2 billion is a little tight, look at MRK at $3 billion, now there's a 'strong' company. Don't try to obfuscate the issue with jabs like Merck's market cap is 6.5x times AMAT's or that they're in totally different industries (given big Pharmaceuticals' need to be cash rich) ... bottom line is there's a relative cash crunch and if Feds make a move do you realize that cash is now worth more?? That's right! It's complicated (derivatives, etc.) so I won't go into detail here, but from a very technical perspective, if they tried to buy stuff after a hike, they could get more stuff. The idea that greenbacks are worth less in an inflationary environment is misguided, since dollars are worth more (can be 'lent out' at higher rates) after a hike. Clear? Luckily, at least, AMAT is not in a dividend paying mode, could be the kiss of death. Be afraid, be very afraid. RO