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Technology Stocks : Helix Technology, a cold play on semiconductor equipment -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: BostonView who wrote (715)	10/30/1999 12:06:00 AM
From: dellman	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1227

I have held Helix since the 1960's when the company was called Helix Cryogenics, haven't sold a share yet and don't intend to for some time. One thing I have noticed during this last upturn is that Helix has not kept up with AMAT. During the last peak, I believe AMAT hit $105 pre-split and now it is 80% higher than the last peak. Helix, however, hit approx. $70 at its last peak and is only about 15% higher than its last peak. If it would be keeping up with AMAT, it would be around $63. Am still waiting for that to happen. I do not intend to hold watch the shares drop again during the next downturn. Bret Hodess seems to be the analyst everyone should be watching to see when the next downturn will come, which looks like it is a ways off yet. His call last fall telling people to buy semiconductor equip. companies was on the mark.

To: BostonView who wrote (715)	10/30/1999 6:41:00 PM
From: EACarl	Respond to of 1227

RE "A forward p/e multiple of, say, 45, on next years expected earnings of $1.32 takes us to $60. That's still not full PEG, but who's greedy?" HELX is in nosebleed territory here. Hey , I'm not complaining, I bought in the $10 to $13 range almost a year ago, but I'm lightening up a little at these extreme valuations. Staying in the sector though, using the proceeds to buy the companies who haven't quite been dicovered yet. For example: COHU estimate for next year is around $1.73. Very conservative estimate. Do some research on COHU history, current BTB and backlog, margins etc, and you'll see how much more potential there is. Earnings growth has been fantastic this cycle with the just reported quarter at $.36. Your "forward p/e multiple of, say, 45, on next years expected earnings" would put COHU at $78, it is only $19 now. Much more potential for percentage return than HELX. Do you realize HELX is almost 10 times sales at this point. OUCH! I do love HELX but I there are so many better values in the sector at this point. Eric.