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To: Art Bechhoefer who wrote (11355)	5/22/2000 6:19:00 PM
From: orkrious	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 60323

Bold is Beautiful: Intel ramps up for flash memory amid searing demand By Michael Kanellos Staff Writer, CNET News.com May 22, 2000, 12:40 p.m. PT Intel plans to invest more than $2 billion over the next few years into flash memory and expand its product line in an effort to capitalize on the exploding demand for one of the key components of cell phones and other devices. The investment in flash will largely be directed at building more factory capacity and at devising ways to increase the overall density of wafers and chips, said Curt Nichols, general manager of the flash products group at Intel. The company today is holding a briefing on its flash strategy at its Santa Clara, Calif. headquarters. In the future, for instance, Intel will begin to sell flash chips containing its StrataFlash technology, which doubles the density of a memory cell, to the smart phone market. Currently, these more expensive chips largely go into routers and cell base stations. The company will also begin to sell integrated chips for cell phones that will combine flash, a StrongArm processor and a communications chip on one piece of silicon, Nichols added. Flash memory, which is used in cell phones, set-top boxes and other appliances for storing data and applications, has emerged as one of the fastest growing semiconductor markets in recent years. Flash revenue for the industry as a whole grew from $2 billion in 1998 to $4.5 billion in 1999 to a projected $10 billion this year, according to analysts. "Wireless is the second biggest consumer of silicon," said Nichols. Intel this week said it shipped its billionth flash memory processor, a milestone that took 12 years to achieve. The next billion likely will be sold in two years, Nichols said. About 65 percent of the company's output goes to cell phones. The sharp spike in demand has fueled a shortage already crimping the product plans of MP3 makers and others. "Flash this year will be the limiting factor in how many (cellular) handsets will be produced," said Eric Rothdeutsch, an analyst at Merrill Lynch, earlier this month. "I imagine that the shortage will get a lot worse. We're going to be tight for all of 2001 at least." "Demand is certainly stronger than supply right now, not just in cell phones but in all applications," Nichols said. To take advantage of the shortage, Intel is investing in expanding its manufacturing capacity for flash. Flash manufacturing is expanding in factories in Oregon and New Mexico. A facility acquired from Rockwell in Colorado also will be dedicated to flash. Along with building factories, the company also is beefing up its manufacturing capabilities to squeeze more memory cells onto each wafer. Flash chips will increasingly be made on the 0.18-micron manufacturing process, the same manufacturing technique currently used for making computer processors. By shifting from the 0.25-micron process, Intel effectively is able to double the number of flash chips produced per wafer. The StrataFlash technology, meanwhile, allows Intel to double the density of flash chips because each memory cell can hold two, rather than one, bits of data. As a result, overall output, in terms of the number of bits produced, will increase.

To: Art Bechhoefer who wrote (11355)	5/22/2000 6:23:00 PM
From: Greg h2o	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 60323

<<Most individual investors will probably do a lot better by just buying and holding, accumulating when there appears to be an unusual opportunity, such as now>> art, respectfully, i'd like to point out that the same opportunities exist when the stock price is grossly overvalued, as well.... then, the investor can sell. sure, the optimal holding period is "forever", but let's be honest about this market. when a stock can have the swings we've seen in SNDK, it's prudent to keep an eye on it and not just "forget about it". after buying at just under 51 today, i'll be watching it very carefully. oh, and if it goes down, since i only established a 1/2 position, i'll be adding more if we see the upper 30's to 40. (sorry, but it could happen)

To: Art Bechhoefer who wrote (11355)	5/22/2000 7:05:00 PM
From: Zeev Hed	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 60323

Art, if memory serves, the last "great opportunity" was at $90. Of course no one can predict where the stock will go, but trends have a way of "continuing" for some time, catching a bottom or a top is impossible, but following the trend (getting in on a turn up and out after a peak is reached) is possible, in essence that is what TA attempts to do, determine the current trends and area of supply and demand for a given stock. I love trends lines that have longevity, but when I cannot get these, I take what is "given". Zeev Zeev

To: Art Bechhoefer who wrote (11355)	5/22/2000 8:25:00 PM
From: SBHX	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 60323

Art, actually, all text books on this says very clearly to take profits when you have made a big gain. You dont have to sell all, but the idea of selling 1/2 when you think it is overpriced, and accumulate when after a dip really WORKS well. Alternately, if you set a limit say 25%-33% where any stock that has mkt value that exceeds this limit as a part of your portfolio is an automatic sell to bring it below. In non taxable retirement accounts, even more active trading and rebalancing will help. When all else fails, it is luck and discipline that usually saves my skin. Got my fill at 50. A bargain? Hope so. JMHO.