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 : Semi Equipment Analysis -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Donald Wennerstrom who wrote (48611)	7/21/2010 9:53:16 AM
From: Donald Wennerstrom	1 Recommendation Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 95587

Applied Materials To Restructure, Boosts 3Q EPS View >AMAT 9:15 AM ET 7/21/10 \| Dow Jones Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) plans to restructure its energy and environmental business, in a move expected to affect 400 to 500 positions globally, as the company looks to focus on solar and LED technology in that segment and get it back to profitability. Shares were up 2.5% at $12.65 in premarket trading as the company also boosted its earnings target for the latest quarter. The stock through Tuesday's close was down 11% this year. Applied Materials, the biggest maker of machines used in manufacturing semiconductors, has benefited from a strong rebound in demand for computers and their electronic devices. The company, which also makes equipment used to manufacture flat-screen televisions and solar panels, increased its market share in the past two years and returned to profitability in the fourth quarter after three quarterly losses in a row. Applied Materials, which recently had about 13,000 employees globally, plans to discontinue sales to new customers for some thin-film solar panels. It also intends to sell its low-emissivity architectural-glass coatings line while continuing development in emerging technologies in "smart" electrochromic glass. Chairman and Chief Executive Mike Splinter said the thin-film market has been hurt by several factors such as delays in utility-scale solar adoption, tight credit and uncertainty about government renewable-energy policies. As such, the company expects to post restructuring-related charges of 18 cents to 21 cents a share, including 14 cents in the fiscal third quarter ended June 30. Excluding that, it sees earnings for the period of 24 cents to 28 cents a share, 2 cents above its prior view.