SI
SI
discoversearch

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.
Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Tenchusatsu who wrote (576160)7/13/2010 2:00:17 PM
From: tejek  Respond to of 1571800
 
Then next phase of the housing recovering has begun.........to more expensive housing.

Southern California home sales edge up in June

By ELLIOT SPAGAT
AP Business Writer

(AP:SAN DIEGO) Home sales in Southern California climbed to an 11-month high in June as gains in pricey, coastal areas offset declines in less expensive regions that had been fueling the recovery, a research firm reported Tuesday.

There were 23,871 new and existing homes sold in the six-county region last month, up 2.6 percent from 23,262 homes in the same period last year and up 7.2 percent from 22,270 in May, MDA DataQuick said. It marked the highest June sales total since 2006 and the most for any month since July 2009.


Homes sold for a median price of $300,000 in June, up 13.2 percent from $265,000 during the same month last year but down 1.6 percent from $305,000 in May.

The numbers show that sales are shifting to the coast from the foreclosure-battered Inland Empire, which was drawing bargain-hunters in droves a year ago. Foreclosures accounted for only 33 percent of existing home sales last month, down from 45.3 percent a year earlier and down from an all-time high of 56.7 percent in February 2009.

"The market was wildly out of kilter a year ago. Now it's just somewhat out of kilter," said John Walsh, president of MDA DataQuick.

MDA DataQuick said the June results reflect "a slow crawl toward normalcy." Andrew LePage, an analyst at the San Diego-based firm, said a key test will be if sales hold up as federal and state tax credits for homebuyers expire.

Orange, the most expensive market in the six counties surveyed with a median price of $445,000 in June, registered a 15.7 percent gain in sales from the same period last year.

San Bernardino County, the least expensive market with a median price of $160,000 in June, showed a 7.5 percent drop in sales. Sales slipped 1 percent in Riverside County, another relatively affordable market with a median price of $210,000.

In another sign that higher-end markets are leading the recovery, 20.8 percent of all sales last month were for at least $500,000, up from 19.3 percent the same period a year earlier. Sales in ZIP codes representing the priciest one-third of Southern California accounted for 29.6 percent of all existing home sales, up from 27.8 percent last year.

MDA DataQuick said sales in higher-end markets would be even more robust if loans were more available.

"The single-biggest issue is still mortgage financing," Walsh said. "Rates may be at record lows but that doesn't mean much if the lender won't qualify you."

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

news.ino.com



To: Tenchusatsu who wrote (576160)7/13/2010 5:17:08 PM
From: tejek  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 1571800
 
Intel Posts Its Best Results Ever; 3Q View Above Estimates

4:37 PM ET 7/13/10 | Dow Jones
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Intel Corp. (INTC) swung to a second-quarter profit as it reported its best quarter ever on a continued strong rebound in demand.

The world's largest chip maker's results topped expectations and it forecast third-quarter revenue of $11.2 billion to $12 billion, while analysts on average estimated $10.92 billion, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters. Intel also predicted gross margin of 65% to 69%, compared with analysts' average estimate of 64.4%.

"Strong demand from corporate customers for our most advanced microprocessors helped Intel achieve the best quarter in the company's 42-year history," said Chief Executive Paul Otellini.

Shares were at $20.99, down 2 cents, in after-hours trading.

Intel, which makes the chips that run about 80% of the world's computers, has benefited from the strong rebound in demand for personal computers and other electronic devices after a sharp drop during the recession a year ago. The company also has seen improved sales of server chips, which have higher prices and margins, as businesses upgrade their technology. But some analysts worry that demand is slowing amid economic uncertainty in Europe and the U.S.

Intel reported a profit of $2.89 billion, or 51 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier loss of $398 million, or 7 cents a share, which included a $1.45 billion antitrust fine from the European Union. Analysts estimated a 43-cent profit.

Revenue climbed 34% to $10.77 billion. In April, Intel forecast $9.8 billion to $10.6 billion, above analysts' then-estimate.

Intel's closely watched gross margin rose to a record 67% from 50.8%, above its guidance. The stock typically has followed the movement of gross margins.

-By Kathy Shwiff, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2357; Kathy.Shwiff@dowjones.com