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

To: dr_elis who wrote (16598)	11/18/2005 3:32:43 PM
From: NAG1	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 25522

Another question-is Splinter doing a good job of running the company? Neal

To: dr_elis who wrote (16598)	11/18/2005 9:12:37 PM
From: etchmeister	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 25522

I don't know too much about ASML but my concern is that AMAT and NVLS are in a dogfight (CVD/PVD). Several times Hill complained about predatory pricing and based on my own experience as well as input from Japanese toolmaker AMAT has a history of predatory pricing. I also caught a presentation where Bagley made similar comments There are various ways: bundle certain products "throw in" free service support provide free eval tools and support I don't mean to be negative but sooner or later this behavior will take its toll at AMAT as well The more I read/learn about Varian the more I like it; LRCX is gaining in catching up but VSEA is still a "grey" mouse. Based on my two cents VSEA might have the strongest product relative to competition. Varian topped for eight or nine years VLSI vendor satisfaction scoreboard while AMAT barely made the top ten (BTW all the big names from US are fairly weak with respect to VLSI rating). Also the (patented) dual beam/magnet appears some additional advantages in regards to yield = immediate $$$payback to customer.

To: dr_elis who wrote (16598)	11/19/2005 1:47:16 PM
From: Cary Salsberg	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 25522

RE: "Can ASML really outshine AMAT?" Yes! Lithography is the key front end technology. Maybe, 30% of front end equipment costs. When ASML bought SVGI in 2000, the CEO of SVGI mentioned that he could have bought ASML in 1993. It has come a long way. Now, it is gaining customers in Japan against Nikon, the former lithography leader, and Canon, because it has a big lead in immersion technology. It never had much of a presence in Japan before. If ASML continues to perform as it has, its managers are predicting dominant market share, 65%, 70%. Nikon and Canon have lucrative business opportunities elsewhere, cameras, scanners, printers, while ASML is solely devoted to photolithography. My goal is to own equal dollar amounts of AMAT, ASML, KLAC, NVLS, ALTR, XLNX, LLTC, MXIM. Recent price volatility has played havoc with my goal. I will not bet on ASML to outshine AMAT. If it does, I will probably sell some ASML shares and buy AMAT shares to balance my holdings.