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Technology Stocks : Kulicke and Soffa -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Smilodon who wrote (3065)	9/11/1998 10:00:00 AM
From: Smilodon	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 5482

Notes from the conference call. "Business sucks and it continues to suck." On the bright side: The excess inventory in channel seems to have been cleared out. Are seeing a modest uptick in customer utilization, materials orders, and occasional unexpected orders. Currently working 3 shifts and overtime to meet 2 unexpected orders from ASE, but expect to lay off workers in October. Seeing ASP pressure in ball bonders. They got the overhead cost reductions they wanted, but ASP problems could cause problems with financial results. They won't know for 4-6 weeks. Have not lost an evaluation with an 8020 and are taking business away from the Japanese due to superior pad pitch capabilities, even though KLIC prices are much higher. Customer utilization bottomed in July at 64%, and now seems to be in the low 70's. Bottom line, things are improving, but they think it is just seasonal and the true upturn will not happen until second half of 1999. Regards, Archer