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

To: michael97123 who wrote (50345)	8/10/2001 10:03:28 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 70976

Japan Firms Boost R&D Spending Despite Econ Downturn: Survey August 10, 2001 (TOKYO) -- Despite an economic downturn, Japanese companies are strengthening their R&D efforts this fiscal year in a bid to improve their technological prowess and raise their international competitiveness, a survey by Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc. has revealed. Some 10 percent -- roughly double the previous year's figure -- of the 332 firms plan to boost spending on R&D in basic research in the next five years. The companies plan to raise their group's R&D spending by an aggregate 6.6 percent this fiscal year. Last fiscal year, 4.4 percent actually raised their R&D spending. They are concentrating their efforts on basic technological research, instead of the development of practical applications. Many firms are expected to increase the number of researchers this fiscal year, though they plan to shrink the total work force. The need for basic research has strengthened companies' reliance on universities. Some 51.2 percent of surveyed firms plan to increase joint projects with Japanese universities, while another 31.6 percent plan to deepen ties with overseas universities. (The Nihon Keizai Shimbun)

To: michael97123 who wrote (50345)	8/10/2001 11:24:41 AM
From: Gottfried	Respond to of 70976

Mike, re >Again I say, i will commit hari kari if lower rates recreates the Japan mess for us< I know you don't mean it, but if our stock market went sideways for years we would all just become daytraders. More work for smaller rewards. Gottfried

To: michael97123 who wrote (50345)	8/10/2001 12:57:59 PM
From: Wayners	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

I would much rather have a turning economy with increases in demand via orders for goods and materials rather than another Fed rate cut. I have a deep seated worry that the FED is pushing on a string at this point where increased availability of credit and deep cuts on prices still fail to stimulate demand because people, especially businesses are 100% tapped out. The companies that need credit can't get credit and may be rightfully so. Last I heard, some of the major banks in the US and probably a lot of others are seeing a large increase in non-performing loans. I'd hate to see a banking crisis, but I saw Larry Kudlow say on CNBC that upwards of 60% of US banks are on "Fed Watch".