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 : Dupont Photomasks (DPMI) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Czechsinthemail who wrote (647)	6/20/1998 1:24:00 AM
From: jeffbas	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 955

I have owned ETEC and own DPMI, but not the other two. I prefer the equipment users over equipment suppliers because their mask business is more stable in my opinion. That's a personal preference. As far as DPMI vs. PLAB is concerned: -DPMI has much more exposure to Asia which has affected recent earnings reports. But the P/E on DPMI is lower even with these effects depressing results. One day Asia will recover. -If you go to the DPMI thread (see YAHOO), note the 1/26/98 DUV announcement. DPMI seems to be better positioned at the high end. -They have no debt. -The deciding factor for me was the DuPont relationship. They have access to DuPont research, DuPont on the Board, and an unused $100 million line of credit from DuPont at very favorable rates. This enables them to do without equity financing if the climate is poor. -One minus - DuPont as majority owner wants to reduce holdings over time, as in the recently scheduled offering (now cancelled). So there will be offerings from time to time, mostly of already issued and outstanding DuPont holdings (which won't increase the shares outstanding but will increase the float).

To: Czechsinthemail who wrote (647)	7/16/1998 2:03:00 PM
From: Kevin G. O'Neill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 955

Ultratech Stepper CEO: Chip Industry Near Bottom Dow Jones Newswires -- July 16, 1998 NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--The microchip industry is close to the bottom of its current downturn, according to Arthur Zafiropoulo, chief executive of Ultratech Stepper Inc. (UTEK). The drive market will begin to pick up a bit in the fall, while the memory business will take a bit longer to turn around, Zafiropoulo said in an interview on CNBC Thursday morning. "Once we get through the summer, at least my company will see a little bit more visibility in the drive industry," he said. "I think we'll see some improvements next year slowly, and then the memory business lagging toward the middle or end of next year," he said. "In general, this downturn began in the end of 1995 with the memory price erosion and that's really continued," he said. He said his company's balance sheet is strong enough to enable Ultratech Stepper to weather the Asian storm even if it continues beyond his forecast. "We have about $160 million in cash and no debt," he said. Ultratech Stepper makes photolithography steppers used in the fabrication of semiconductors, micromachining devices, and thin film heads for disk drives. The company has partnerships with suppliers such as DuPont Photomasks Inc. (DPMI) and Photronics Inc. (PLAB). Recently, Ultratech Stepper announced the acquisition of selected assets and liabilities of Integrated Solutions Inc. The company recently established a direct presence in Japan to enhance its ability to meet customers' requirements in Japan. -By Victor Ozols; 201-938-5394