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

To: Cary Salsberg who wrote (7796)	10/28/2003 12:43:15 PM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 25522

Wafer fab projects to increase in 2004, says report Silicon Strategies 10/27/2003, 8:00 PM ET SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- The improving economy and growth in chip sales are expected to boost wafer fab construction activity in 2004, according to a new report from Strategic Marketing Associates (SMA) on Monday (October 27, 2003). George Burns, president of the Santa Cruz-based market research firm, sees growth in new fab activity and capital spending at restrained levels this year, but picking up strongly in 2004. SMA's capital spending survey indicates that chip makers will increase spending by 11 percent this year to $31 billion, up from $28 billion last year. But the forecast is for an increase of 23 percent in 2004 to almost $40 billion, according to SMA. The value of new fab projects is $13 billion in 2003, more than in all of 2002. The report lists 37 upgrades or new fab projects that could start or restart construction in the next four quarters. In addition, 17 new fabs are expected to come online in the next four quarters. The report expects that 8 new fabs will start or restart construction in 2003 alone. Only one of these will be a 200-mm fab, valued at $1.3 billion, according to the report. The 7 others will all be 300-mm, whose total value when fully ramped will be $12.7 billion, an increase of 53 percent over last year. Most new construction will be 300-mm as all the DRAM fabs continue migrating to 300-mm. Many of today's 300-mm foundry fabs are less than half equipped, and they will also add capacity to meet growing demand. "We expect even stronger new fab activity in 2004 as DRAM companies maintain their 300-mm momentum and foundries begin to fill in empty spaces left from bringing new fabs on line at the beginning of the last downturn," Burns said in a statement. "In fact, there could be so much new foundry production added in the next two years that overcapacity could result." Data also confirms the continuing growth of Asia Pacific. For the first time, Asia Pacific companies outspent US companies as well as all other regions of the world. "From now on, Asia Pacific is going to be the champ," Burns said. "Not only in terms of spending, but also where the fabs are being built." In 2003, spending by U.S. companies will be down for the third year in a row, 55 percent below its peak of $21 billion in 2000. Leaving out Intel, spending by U.S. companies has fallen from 30 percent of the worldwide total to just 18 percent. Intel's share of worldwide capital spending is 12 percent. "Outsourcing has a lot to do with this," Burns said. "It's also one of the main reasons why Asia Pacific is the new manufacturing center of the industry."

To: Cary Salsberg who wrote (7796)	10/28/2003 1:47:48 PM
From: Big Bucks	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 25522

OT-Cary, for years everyone was penalized with higher tax rates when they jumped income levels due to promotions, bonuses, etc...if everyone under the $2M cap paid a flat tax....say 10%, then everyone is contributing their fair share to operating the country, regardless of income. A family making $30K would pay $3000, a family making $1.95M would pay $195,000 in Federal taxes.... Regarding the $2M cap...for SALARIES only...the idea is to minimize the potential of a CEO and corrupt BOD from pillaging the revenues and income of a PUBLICALLY OWNED company for their own benefit without some punitive tax liability that would enter the public coffers as additional tax revenues. Of course there are many issues to consider, too many to debate here, like state tax, sales tax, ad nauseum... Other busines/investment income should probably be taxed at a flat rate also, say a 20% Federal tax rate (does not include state/local tax rate).... The benefits would allow for a balanced budget, fair and equal tax burden of businesses and individuals... Just consider the implications of companies that have excellent profits, they keep re-investing and growing and are better able to compete in the global market place because they are not being taxed out of existance. Individuals would have more discretionary income to spend which makes for a robust economy..... I know this is simplistic, but it could work very well if implemented correctly...BB