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Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Henry D who wrote (28527)	2/23/1999 7:26:00 PM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

TSMC sees higher capacity utilization rates By Jennifer Baljko EE Times (02/23/99, 5:08 p.m. EDT) SAN FRANCISCO — As momentum in the semiconductor industry rebounds, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. expects to see an increase in its capacity utilization rates as demand improves for chips based 0.25-micron process technology. The Taiwan-based foundry had an average 74 percent utilization rate for 1998, but that number is expected to reach about 80 percent in the first quarter of 1999 and to climb higher later this year, said Ronald C. Norris, senior vice president of worldwide marketing and sales for TSMC, speaking at BancBoston Robertson Stephens' technology conference in San Francisco today (Feb. 23). Aside from the recovery in the semiconductor market, the increase stems, at least in part, from greater demand for chips using 0.25-micron process technology, he said. “There has been significant growth in demand for 0.25 micron through 1998,” Norris said. “The demand is picking up this quarter as well.” With more chip manufacturers looking for silicon with smaller line geometries, TSMC will dedicate most of its capital spending budget for 1999 to increasing its capability in that area and to enhance IT services to more effectively communicate with customers. Norris said the company plans to spend about $509 million this year. While that's less than the $1 billion it spent in 1998, it does not include capital spending initiatives at TSMC's joint venture fab in Singapore or at its WaferTech facility. Although taking advantage of the 0.25-micron wave will top this year's priorities, TSMC is also setting its sights on even deeper submicron technology. The company is sampling chips made on 0.18-micron lines this year and will migrate to 0.15 micron next year. TSMC expects to roll out 0.13-micron lines with full copper interconnect capability by the first half of 2001. TSMC's capacity outlook ties in with a renewed sense of confidence in the overall semiconductor market, said BancBoston analyst Susan H. Billat. “There is an industry turnaround. Things are getting better and better, and they are getting better faster than was previously expected” she said, adding that a number of company executives mentioned during the technology conference that they are considering asking their boards to increase capital spending levels to meet the projected demand. “We're running out of capacity,” Billat said. “In the last year, the strategy was to use existing fabs, and use investments to shrink dies. Now companies are going to be making "capacity buys," or investing in capacity expansion. eet.com

To: Henry D who wrote (28527)	2/24/1999 8:36:00 AM
From: Tito L. Nisperos Jr.	Respond to of 70976

Henry D, Because I believe AMAT's stock price has still a Lot to go to the upside, I still concentrate on buying Calls whether short term or LEAPs (I did mention buying short term or regular Options in my last Post to you)... Buying Puts or shorting the stock --- that I want to do a little when I'm convinced we are about to go into a Bear Market. A little only because I've not Mastered investing to take advantage of the decline of prices. I've been conditioned to be always a Bull that my Put and Short investments in the Past ended with disastrous results... Perhaps when I finally fully believe in the idea that there are two AMATs --- one is AMAT the company that I can always wish (and feel Good about it) for its continuing success; and the other is AMAT the stock that I can wish to go Up or to go Down (without feeling bad) depending upon where my money is pointing to at the moment --- then I know I'm going to finally be profitable buying Puts or Shorting the stock...