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To: lexi2004 who wrote (98469)	11/12/2003 3:58:31 PM
From: Findit	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 208838

Dori are you in AND? Looks like a good day trader the last few days. Jim

To: lexi2004 who wrote (98469)	11/12/2003 6:58:58 PM
From: Ron	Respond to of 208838

Applied Materials beats, Company Sees Upturn By DON CLARK Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Applied Materials Inc. topped its forecasts for fourth-quarter profit, sales and orders, providing evidence that a semiconductor rebound is finally reaching companies that supply tools to chip makers. The company projected additional gains in the current period, including a 20% jump in new orders from the fiscal fourth period ended Oct. 26. Applied's order growth in the fourth quarter, at 21%, was more than double its prediction in August for a 10% improvement over the third period ended in July. "We think this is the turning point for the equipment industry," said Michael Splinter, the company's chief executive officer. "It marks a significant change in the attitude and confidence of our customers and their willingness to invest in manufacturing capacity." Applied, based in Santa Clara, Calif., is the largest maker of machines used to make chips. The company has been struggling to recover from a three-year slump, which ended sooner for chip manufacturers than for their suppliers. In the fourth period, Applied reported net income of $15.5 million, or a penny a share, still well below the $147.2 million, or nine cents a share, reported in the year-earlier period. The latest quarter's results include $113.5 million in restructuring-related expenses and an income-tax benefit of $33.5 million. Excluding those items, Applied Materials said it earned $95.5 million, or six cents a share, above its earlier forecast on that basis of four cents to five cents a share. Sales fell 16% to $1.22 billion from $1.45 billion, but were 12% above the $1.09 billion reported for the third quarter. Applied had predicted in August that sales would be "similar" to third-quarter levels. Joseph Bronson, the company's chief financial officer, predicted during a conference call that revenue would rise 5% to 8% over the fourth period, and put earnings per share excluding restructuring charges at six cents to eight cents a share.