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.

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

To: Henry Eichorszt who wrote (29452)	4/9/1999 2:47:00 PM
From: Steve Fancy	Respond to of 70976

Anyone have any feel for why AMAT May 55, APR 50, and APR 55 puts are so active today? 4, 7 and 8 respectively on highest volume US put options traded today. Thanks, sf

To: Henry Eichorszt who wrote (29452)	4/9/1999 2:52:00 PM
From: Steve Fancy	Respond to of 70976

Looks like in the case of April anyway, someone cashing out 5K at a teenie. sf

To: Henry Eichorszt who wrote (29452)	4/9/1999 2:54:00 PM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 70976

SIA backs China's entry into World Trade Organization despite chip tariffs A service of Semiconductor Business News, CMP Media Inc. Story posted noon EST/9 a.m., PST, 4/9/99 By Jack Robertson WASHINGTON -- China has not offered to eliminate its semiconductor tariffs as part of any trade concessions being made to gain support for admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association has demanded that those chip tariffs be dropped, but this week the SIA backed China's campaign to be admitted to the WTO. SIA officials believe China would be required to liberalize its trade policies once it becomes a member of the WTO, according to George Scalise, who is president of the San Jose-based trade organization. The U.S. semiconductor trade group hopes WTO membership would ultimately cause China to lift all of its chip tariffs, which now range between 10-16%. China earlier made general promises to eventually sign the global Information Technology Agreement ( ITA) as a condition for joining WTO, but did not set a timetable for the easing of tariffs. Under the ITA, countries promise to eliminate all tariffs not only on semiconductors but on a range of computer, telecommunications and chip production equipment. Meanwhile, Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province, last year agreed to remove all chip tariffs by next year. As a result the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association will be invited to join the World Semiconductor Council (WSC) for the first time at the global group's next meeting April 23 in Italy. Ending all chip duties is a prerequisite for WSC membership. The global chip council had hoped to admit Taiwan and China at the same time as part of the political sensitivity between the two areas. By failing to lift its tariffs, China failed to gain WSC membership. Reuters reported today that Taiwan also speed up its schedule towards ending all chip tariffs by cutting duties on 23 types of ICs and other components to 0.15-0.25% levels.