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: Proud_Infidel who wrote (18882)	5/15/2006 10:42:52 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 25522

Earnings Preview: Applied Materials Monday May 15, 10:24 am ET Applied Materials Seen Posting In-Line or Better Results for 2nd Quarter NEW YORK (AP) -- Applied Materials Inc., the world's largest semiconductor production equipment maker, reports earnings for the fiscal second quarter on Tuesday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period. OVERVIEW: The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company surpassed Wall Street's estimates in its first quarter, but investors already expected solid results. For the second quarter, Needham analyst Robert Maire said orders are forecast to be up about 13 percent to 15 percent when compared with the first quarter. "Though flat panel orders are expected to be lower for the next two quarters, manufacturers are set to start the next phase of capacity expansion in the second half of the calendar year," wrote Maire, who rates the company "Buy." In addition to expanding consumer electronics, he added, corporate investment in information technology is also strengthening. BY THE NUMBERS: Analysts, on average, are looking for earnings of 23 cents per share on sales of $2.14 billion, according to a poll by Thomson Financial. The estimates include stock options costs. ANALYST TAKE: Bank of America analyst Mark F. FitzGerald expects the company to report better-than-expected orders for April. The analyst rates the company "Neutral" with a target price of $17.85. Merrill Lynch analyst Brett Hodess expects the company to report solid second-quarter results and provide a growth outlook. "We believe visibility for order growth beyond the June/July quarter is improving for AMAT and its peers, Hodess wrote in a note to clients. "However, any good news from the conference call could already be discounted as investors remain concerned about a potential order slowdown" in the later half of the year. WHAT'S AHEAD: In early May, the company agreed to buy Applied Films Corp. for $28.50 per share, or about $464 million. Applied Films makes thin film deposition equipment used in manufacturing flat panel displays, solar cells and flexible electronics. Needham's Maire, said the deal complements AMAT's current flat panel efforts and open new markets for the company. "We believe this technology tuck-in acquisition should be easily integrated given the relative sizes of the two companies," he wrote in a note to clients. "Traditional speed bumps such as corporate culture are likely a nonevent. We envision cost saving from a manufacturing, sourcing, and back office standpoint." STOCK PERFORMANCE: The stock closed at $17.95 on April 28, the last trading day of the company's fiscal second quarter, down 5 percent for the quarter and up 10 percent for the fiscal year, which began in November. In the past 52 weeks, AMAT shares changed hands between $15.46 and $21.06.

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (18882)	5/15/2006 11:43:04 AM
From: Cary Salsberg	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 25522

RE: "Competitors: Linear Technology (Nasdaq: LLTC - News)" FOOL is right!

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (18882)	5/15/2006 12:29:33 PM
From: brushwud	Respond to of 25522

we've been reading stories about how Intel has seen its market share slide as arch-nemesis (and non-Applied Materials customer) AMD...makes more headway. A Fool is right: Advanced Micro Devices Inc. has placed an order with Applied Materials Inc. for 300 millimeter equipment to manufacture its advanced microprocessors... The orders cover a range of process technologies, including Applied Materials' most advanced etch systems, and metrology and inspection tools, which will be shipped to AMD's new Fab 36 in Dresden, Germany by the end of the month... "Applied's breadth of 65nm-capable process and inspection technologies, combined with its extensive support capabilities, were key reasons for this major equipment technology purchase, which will help drive AMD forward for the next several years," says Gary Heerssen, senior vice president of corporate manufacturing for AMD. bizjournals.com