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To: michael97123 who wrote (48458)	6/26/2001 7:31:20 PM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

dailynews.yahoo.com Tuesday June 26 5:17 PM ET Intel Planning $2B Chip Plant HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) - Computer chip giant Intel Corp. (NasdaqNM:INTC - news) is planning to build a $2 billion chip-manufacturing plant in Oregon this summer. The company filed a development review application Friday with the city for the three-story, 175,000-square-foot facility. Intel said it hopes to have a concrete slab and part of the building shell in place by the end of this year. The chip industry is in a slump, but company spokesman Bill MacKenzie said the plant won't open until 2003, when the economic dip is past. ``If the market continues to show weakness through the balance of this year, you won't see the project move that fast,'' he said. The new plant will likely add up to 3,000 jobs in the area, he said. The Santa Clara, Calif., company has its largest base of operations in Hillsboro and its Oregon facilities employ about 16,000. ``Even in a worst-case scenario with the chip market, they still have to do this,'' said George Burns, a consultant with Strategic Marketing Associates. ``You want to do the development phase right. Otherwise you get all kinds of screw-ups down the line when you get into volume manufacturing.'' Intel's manufacturing strategy is to create an experimental fabrication plant where it perfects new production processes, then quickly transform it into a high-volume manufacturing facility while deploying technologies developed there throughout the company in a process known as copy exact. This spring, the company opened a new development plant, D1C. It was one of the first chip plants in the world designed to make chips with circuits measuring .13 microns - about 1/1000th the width of a human hair - on larger 300 mm silicon wafers. The 300 mm wafers have 225 percent more surface area than the current standard, and they should cut Intel's manufacturing costs by 30 percent to 35 percent when D1C goes into full production next year or in 2003. The new plant, known as D1D, will also use 300 mm wafers.

To: michael97123 who wrote (48458)	6/26/2001 9:30:35 PM
From: Dale Knipschield	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 70976

FWIW, Consumer Confidence Numbers.... I live in the northwestern corner of Illinois, and gas prices have experienced a rather dramatic drop over the last couple of weeks. Now at $1.36/gal at some stations. I find it rather interesting how much this has lifted people's spirits around here. It would be interesting if the psychology of high gas prices could be quantified.........it apparently has a very strong effect on their psyche......high prices mean mobility limited.....tough to make a profit if a farmer.....truck driver.......costly for city and state budgets...... but this drop has been like a breath of spring to many people. No doubt its the same across the country, and may account for a bit of the renewed confidence. Regards, Knip

To: michael97123 who wrote (48458)	6/26/2001 10:11:32 PM
From: Sun Tzu	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 70976

Mike, In my own business, I am noticing a mild pick up. I find this surprising since none of my clients are doing any better. Still, my personal sentiment is more positive now than it was a couple of months ago. So I for one can vouch for your assessment. I think we are getting near the flat part of the U curve. Most businesses are still hemorrhaging, but some have turned a corner. We are far from a sector-wide recovery in any segment. But if you are a stock picker, you can do well. I've been pondering for a week about the Fed and the market action tomorrow. I'd give it slightly better than 60:40 that the Fed will cut by only a quarter point. Figuring out the market's reaction is another story. On one hand, a quarter point would disappoint a number of people. On the other hand, the market may choose to interpret the minimal cut as a signal that the economy is turning around and the earnings will soon pick up. Alternatively, I know of people who are waiting for a rally based on a 50 basis point cut so they can sell into it (I wouldn’t sell if that happens). Seeing how unable I am to predict the market's move, I made a list of stocks I will short if the market tanks and those that I will buy should the market rally. Longer term, I will invest in stocks that I see as value stocks. I know that it is not a popular opinion at the moment, but I do not see the big semicap stocks as currently attractive. This is due to my inability to foresee a meaningful valuation over the next 2 years, which is as far as I ever dare to look into future. If I am wrong, I see AMAT going to 70. And if I am right, I AMAT will hit 40. The risk/reward is not as attractive as I'd like. I think Warren Buffette had it right when he said, "I think the stocks will be boring for the next decade". So for now I will continue with my method of weeks of boredom fallowed by moments of thrill. Sun Tzu