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

To: Gottfried who wrote (43898)	3/16/2001 6:18:44 PM
From: michael97123	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 70976

Gottfried, I have been at meetings all day. Is there any hope left for next week? A few minutes ago I heard a money manager who made money both in 99 and 2000 say and i paraphrase that "now or sometime next week will be best buying opp we will have for 10 years." I believe he runs a balanced portfolio and offset losses in 2000 with gains in small caps. The lady interviewer seemed to almost fall off her chair when he said this but maintained her composure. I said 1800 on naz and low 9000's for dow a couple of weeks ago--i know big deal but I feel it in my bones but dont know what to buy. BTW this guys pick was att and schering plough. He did say many techs would lag the market and perform in a duller manner like a proctor and gamble did for awhile. I worry about that too. Mike

To: Gottfried who wrote (43898)	3/16/2001 7:04:46 PM
From: mitch-c	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 70976

Only if you look at it upside down or discount it 1/3. Then, it's a sign. - Mitch

To: Gottfried who wrote (43898)	3/16/2001 9:21:31 PM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 70976

Dataquest considers "downgrading" foundry industry as IC market deteriorates By Mark LaPedus Semiconductor Business News (03/16/01 12:30 p.m. PST) SAN JOSE -- It's hard to believe, but the worldwide silicon foundry business is expected to go from bad to worse. In recent weeks, major silicon foundry vendors have experienced new--and sometimes record--lows in terms of overall fab-utilization rates and wafer pricing, analysts said. But the situation is not expected to improve--at least in the near term. The ongoing slowdown in the overall IC industry has prompted Dataquest Inc. to consider downgrading the silicon foundry business for the third time in the last nine months. Originally, the San Jose-based market researcher last July estimated that the worldwide foundry business would grow about 35% in 2001. Then in January, it lowered its growth forecast to a modest 10%, from $12.9 billion in 2000 to $14.2 billion in 2001. "I am still on record that we will see 10% growth for the year," said analyst James Hines, who tracks the market for Dataquest. "But I may have to downgrade the forecast given the events in the industry." Because most, if not all, chip makers have lowered their own forecasts for the quarter, the foundry vendors will also suffering in the market. One of the leading indicators in the foundry business is the fab-utilization rates. In the middle of last year, major foundry vendors were they fully booked. Some vendors claimed to have fab-utilization rates of more than 100%. "By the end of last year, we had [fab-utilization] numbers of 85% to 90%, and it's gone down since then," Hines said. "Now, I've heard [fab-utilization] numbers that are shocking," he said. "I've heard numbers below 50%. That's about the lowest that I can recall." As a result, wafer prices will come under pressure, especially for leading-edge products based on 0.18-micron design rules, he said. "I would say we could see a 20% to 25% decline or more in terms of wafer prices," he said.