Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Applied Materials No-Politics Thread (AMAT) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Pink Minion who wrote (5300)	2/3/2003 8:21:13 AM
From: Road Walker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 25522

Global Chip Sales Up 1.3% in Recovery Year; 1.9% Fourth Quarter Sequential Gain, 23% Year over Year Business Editors/High-Tech Writers SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2003--Global semiconductor sales reached $12.5 billion in December 2002, bringing total revenue for the year to $140.7 billion, a 1.3% increase from the 2001 level of $138.9 billion. During the year's final quarter, revenue rose 1.9% sequentially to $37.6 billion from $36.9 billion, following increases of 5.6%, 5.8% and 8.2% in the first three quarters of 2002, and was up 23% over the corresponding quarter of 2001. "The recovery that began in the final quarter of 2001 continued throughout 2002, producing 1.3% growth in this turnaround year," stated SIA President George Scalise. "This is remarkable performance, in the face of lackluster demand in the Information Technology market. We expect further improvement across broad product sectors, positioning the industry for 19.8% growth in 2003, increasing revenues to $169.3 billion." Throughout the year, the worldwide wireless sector recorded the most vigorous growth. Unit sales of handsets grew by double-digits in the fourth quarter, producing growth of 13.2% in Flash and 6.8% in Digital Signal Processors. New subscribers continue to set records in Asia, particularly in China, which is adding some 5 million new users each month. PCs continue to be the single largest end market for semiconductors, accounting for 30% of total chip consumption. There is some evidence that the corporate buyer is returning to the market. During the December quarter due to increased PC demand, Microprocessors and DRAMs were up 10.1% and 7.6% respectively. "We expect the momentum built throughout 2002 in both cell phones and PCs to increase in 2003," stated Scalise. "As a result, for the first time since 2000, we believe IT spending on hardware will register an increase." The consumer sector, including DVD's and digital cameras, continues to drive new growth, especially in Application Specific Products. WiFi (802.11) has emerged as another brisk growth driver for semiconductors, as Wireless Local Access Networks (WLAN) sweep across the country, giving consumers the ability to connect almost seamlessly to the Internet from their offices, at home, in coffee houses, or in transit at the nation's airports. The compound annual growth rates of WLAN IC's expected to exceed 35% over the 2000-2005 forecast period. Asia Pacific continues to be the world's fastest growing market, recording a 29% increase in chip sales for the year, pushing it past the Americas as the world's largest market, with a 36% share. For the year 2002, chip sales declined 13% in the Americas, 8% in Japan and 8% in Europe from 2001 levels, as electronic equipment production continues an unprecedented migration to facilities in the Asia Pacific region. The SIA's Global Sales Report (GSR) is a three-month moving average of sales activity. The GSR is tabulated by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization, which represents approximately 66 companies. The moving average is a mathematical smoothing technique that mitigates variations due to companies' monthly financial calendars. About the SIA The SIA is the leading voice for the semiconductor industry and has represented U.S.-based manufacturers since 1977. SIA member companies comprise approximately 90% of U.S.-based semiconductor production. Collectively, the chip industry employs a domestic workforce of 284,000 people. More information about the SIA can be found at www.sia-online.org. December 2002 Billions Month-to-Month Sales Current Market Last Month Month % Change Americas 2.69 2.60 -3.6% Europe 2.61 2.54 -2.5% Japan 2.85 2.77 -2.5% Asia Pacific 4.68 4.61 -1.4% Total 12.83 12.53 -2.3% Year-to-Year Sales Current Market Last Year Month % Change Americas 2.47 2.60 5.0% Europe 2.20 2.54 15.8% Japan 2.13 2.77 30.5% Asia Pacific 3.39 4.61 36.3% Total 10.18 12.53 23.1% Three-Month-Moving Average Sales Current 3 Market Last 3 Months Months % Change Americas 2.63 2.60 -1.4% Europe 2.32 2.54 9.8% Japan 2.83 2.77 -1.9% Asia Pacific 4.51 4.61 2.3% Total 12.29 12.53 1.9% --30--EL/sf* CONTACT: Semiconductor Industry Association Molly Tuttle, 408/436-6600 mtuttle@sia-online.org

To: Pink Minion who wrote (5300)	2/3/2003 10:03:22 AM
From: Kirk ©	Respond to of 25522

Kirk: IF I refinance $100,000 in mortgage, lowering rates by only 1%, then I have roughly $1,000 a year more money to spend without adding any debt! SemiBear: It cost you 2K for the new loan. You probably rolled the cost into the new loan which is more debt. It'll take you 2 years just to get back to even. Perhaps on a small loan but I often refinance a much larger loan and it costs me zero because I pay perhaps a higher interest rate to cover the loan cost. Also, if the monthly payments are lower even with the refi cost rolled in, then they might have more debt on the books but their ability to pay it off is improved due to the lower rate. It might take 2 yrs to pay off the loan cost but after this, they are in the green. This is still a good thing and not a problem. Of course, this is not what really happens as many are now extending maybe 25 yrs left on a loan out to 30 yrs again. many, myself included, try to pay off their loan on the original schedule, but many say this is not important as most will sell their property long before they pay it off... perhaps to downsize when they are older. Kirk