Winjer
10-12-2005, 11:36
Intel acknowledged for the first time Thursday that rival Advanced Micro Devices may be gaining market share, and the two companies are locked in ``hand to hand combat.''
Intel Chief Financial Officer Andy Bryant said in a mid-quarter update conference call that ``if AMD is executing on their plan, they may be taking market share'' from the Santa Clara company, which is the world's largest chip maker and dominates the personal computer microprocessor market.
``AMD is definitely more competitive in retail desktop computers, servers and laptops,'' said JMP Securities analyst Krishna Shankar. ``I can't recall a time when Intel has said that AMD is taking share.''
Intel still holds an 80 percent share of the PC microprocessor market, and its sales in that area are expected to grow by 15 percent this year. However, market researcher Gartner recently reported AMD's share in servers had grown to 10 percent from 5 percent a year ago.
The announcement came as Intel said sales in the fourth quarter, which is usually strong because of holiday sales, may not rise as much as it had expected earlier, disappointing investors who were hoping for stronger results.
Intel said fourth-quarter sales may rise $10.4 billion to $10.6 billion, lower than its October forecast of $10.6 billion to $10.8 billion. The company's results are closely watched because its sales are a bellwether for the personal computer industry.
``It's a mild disappointment,'' said Raymond James analyst Ashok Kumar. ``But this is the third year of double-digit growth rates'' in microprocessor sales, ``and that's a commendable performance.''
Intel shares dropped 77 cents to $24.93 in after-hours trading after the report. The stock price had fallen 45 cents to $25.70 Thursday before the announcement.
The market had been expecting better news from Intel since makers of cell phone chips have been reporting better than expected cell phone sales. Santa Clara-based National Semiconductor said in its conference call Thursday that its power management chips took off thanks to strong cell phone sales.
But PC buyers may be aware that Intel is preparing a big launch of new laptop chips in January. On Tuesday, Intel will unveil its code-named Napa platform, which includes a complete remake of its Centrino brand microprocessor and chipsets for laptop computers. The microprocessor chip, code-named Yonah, has two processors on a single chip. Computer makers are gearing up to launch new machines in January.
Bryant said Intel's gross profit margins, a measure of profit on goods sold, would be about 63 percent, on par with its previous forecast.
``I wasn't surprised that the quarter is coming out this way,'' Shankar said. ``But there were other analysts who expected that Intel would raise its guidance and say it would be an unusually strong quarter.''
Fonte (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/13367218.htm)
E esta hem!!! Devem ter caidos os santos todos do altar....:002:
Intel Chief Financial Officer Andy Bryant said in a mid-quarter update conference call that ``if AMD is executing on their plan, they may be taking market share'' from the Santa Clara company, which is the world's largest chip maker and dominates the personal computer microprocessor market.
``AMD is definitely more competitive in retail desktop computers, servers and laptops,'' said JMP Securities analyst Krishna Shankar. ``I can't recall a time when Intel has said that AMD is taking share.''
Intel still holds an 80 percent share of the PC microprocessor market, and its sales in that area are expected to grow by 15 percent this year. However, market researcher Gartner recently reported AMD's share in servers had grown to 10 percent from 5 percent a year ago.
The announcement came as Intel said sales in the fourth quarter, which is usually strong because of holiday sales, may not rise as much as it had expected earlier, disappointing investors who were hoping for stronger results.
Intel said fourth-quarter sales may rise $10.4 billion to $10.6 billion, lower than its October forecast of $10.6 billion to $10.8 billion. The company's results are closely watched because its sales are a bellwether for the personal computer industry.
``It's a mild disappointment,'' said Raymond James analyst Ashok Kumar. ``But this is the third year of double-digit growth rates'' in microprocessor sales, ``and that's a commendable performance.''
Intel shares dropped 77 cents to $24.93 in after-hours trading after the report. The stock price had fallen 45 cents to $25.70 Thursday before the announcement.
The market had been expecting better news from Intel since makers of cell phone chips have been reporting better than expected cell phone sales. Santa Clara-based National Semiconductor said in its conference call Thursday that its power management chips took off thanks to strong cell phone sales.
But PC buyers may be aware that Intel is preparing a big launch of new laptop chips in January. On Tuesday, Intel will unveil its code-named Napa platform, which includes a complete remake of its Centrino brand microprocessor and chipsets for laptop computers. The microprocessor chip, code-named Yonah, has two processors on a single chip. Computer makers are gearing up to launch new machines in January.
Bryant said Intel's gross profit margins, a measure of profit on goods sold, would be about 63 percent, on par with its previous forecast.
``I wasn't surprised that the quarter is coming out this way,'' Shankar said. ``But there were other analysts who expected that Intel would raise its guidance and say it would be an unusually strong quarter.''
Fonte (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/13367218.htm)
E esta hem!!! Devem ter caidos os santos todos do altar....:002: