UMS Holdings

[Boon]

Great future ahead, says Applied Materials’ Dickerson
By Pete Singer, Editor-in-Chief
http://electroiq.com/blog/2015/07/great-...dickerson/

Applied Materials Demonstrates Success with Fast-Ramping Products for Semiconductor and Display Industries
http://phoenix.corporate-ir.net/phoenix....ID=2067376

[Boon]

SEMI Forecasts Three Years of Growth in Chip Equipment Spending

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — July 14, 2015 — SEMI projects three consecutive years of growth in worldwide semiconductor equipment sales according to the mid-year edition of the SEMI® Capital Equipment Forecast, released today at the SEMICON West exposition. SEMI forecasts that the total semiconductor equipment market will grow 7 percent in 2015 (reaching $40.2 billion) and expand another 4 percent in 2016 to reach $41.8 billion........................

http://www.semi.org/en/node/57036?id=highlights
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TSMC cuts 28/20nm prices as much as 10%

Josephine Lien, Taipei; Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES [Wednesday 15 July 2015]

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20150714PD212.html

[Boon]

Wearable Systems Give Major Boost to Total IoT Sales in 2015

New IoT connections growing quickly; Apple Watch boosts growth of wearable systems, but will these be merely a passing fad?

By IC Insights, 15 July 2015

http://www.icinsights.com/data/articles/...ts/803.pdf
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EUV: Unlike anything else in the fab

By Pete Singer, Editor-in-Chief

http://electroiq.com/blog/2015/07/euv-un...n-the-fab/
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Intel Hits Snag On The Way To Next-Generation Chips

By Rachel Courtland
Posted 16 Jul 2015

http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/semic...tion-chips

[Ivan Lu]

Applied Materials Faces Maturing Mobile Chip Market After DoJ Rejection

Chip Makers Slash Capital Spending

Two customers, in Samsung (OTC:SSNLF) and Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE: TSM), have combined for between 33% and 40% of annual orders at Applied Materials, from 2012 to 2014. Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor, of course, are key hubs for the ARM-based chips that drive the Apple iOS (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Google Android (NASDAQ: GOOG) ecosystems.

The chip supply chain often ends up in Asia where technical product can still be produced on the cheap. Applied Materials, which is based out of Santa Clara, CA, has booked more than 70% of its sales in Asia for three years running. Certainly, the proposed merger between Applied Materials and Tokyo Electron would have helped Applied consolidate upon and build out new business in this all-important region. Instead, Tokyo Electron will emerge again as a fierce rival, well positioned to poach business out of South Korea and Taiwan, away from Applied Materials.

Perhaps even more importantly would be the risk that the major chipmakers slash capital spending by the end of 2015 and into 2016in response to weakening demand and growing inventory stockpiles. On April 26, Applied Materials itself closed out its Q2 2015 books with $1.7 billion worth of inventory and $874 million in deferred revenue on the $13.6 billion balance sheet. Much of these amounts do represent claims upon finished products soon set for delivery.

Last April, technology heavyweights Taiwan Semiconductor and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) both issued separate statements that they were set to slash 2015 capital spending by $1 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively. With these cuts, Taiwan Semiconductor and Intel have now budgeted for a combined $19.7 billion in capital spending, down from the $22 billion guidance heading into the year.

For its part, Taiwan Semiconductor has cited flagging orders after the mobile market completed quick upgrades from 20-nanometer to 16-nonometer chip process technologies. These moves out of Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor also would appear to support recent reports out research firm Gartner suggesting anemic chip market growth through the remainder of 2015.

Doesn't look too good for AMAT here.

[BlueKelah]

So long as there is still minimal growth or stagnant growth its better than negative growth? Ums can still payout some dividends rite?

Not sure how tokyo electron gonna fight amat, last i read over past few years japan had like 37 foundry/fabs closure?

sent from my Galaxy Tab S

[Boon]

Applied Materials Faces Maturing Mobile Chip Market After DoJ Rejection

Chip Makers Slash Capital Spending

Two customers, in Samsung (OTC:SSNLF) and Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE: TSM), have combined for between 33% and 40% of annual orders at Applied Materials, from 2012 to 2014. Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor, of course, are key hubs for the ARM-based chips that drive the Apple iOS (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Google Android (NASDAQ: GOOG) ecosystems.

The chip supply chain often ends up in Asia where technical product can still be produced on the cheap. Applied Materials, which is based out of Santa Clara, CA, has booked more than 70% of its sales in Asia for three years running. Certainly, the proposed merger between Applied Materials and Tokyo Electron would have helped Applied consolidate upon and build out new business in this all-important region. Instead, Tokyo Electron will emerge again as a fierce rival, well positioned to poach business out of South Korea and Taiwan, away from Applied Materials.

Perhaps even more importantly would be the risk that the major chipmakers slash capital spending by the end of 2015 and into 2016in response to weakening demand and growing inventory stockpiles. On April 26, Applied Materials itself closed out its Q2 2015 books with $1.7 billion worth of inventory and $874 million in deferred revenue on the $13.6 billion balance sheet. Much of these amounts do represent claims upon finished products soon set for delivery.

Last April, technology heavyweights Taiwan Semiconductor and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) both issued separate statements that they were set to slash 2015 capital spending by $1 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively. With these cuts, Taiwan Semiconductor and Intel have now budgeted for a combined $19.7 billion in capital spending, down from the $22 billion guidance heading into the year.

For its part, Taiwan Semiconductor has cited flagging orders after the mobile market completed quick upgrades from 20-nanometer to 16-nonometer chip process technologies. These moves out of Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor also would appear to support recent reports out research firm Gartner suggesting anemic chip market growth through the remainder of 2015.

Doesn't look too good for AMAT here.

http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/rea...=112836940

In 2015,
TSMC could still end up spending 1.0 to 1.5 billion MORE capex than in 2014.

Intel could end up spending 1.5 billion (from 10.2 b to 8.7 b) LESS.

Overall, AMAT’s top 3 customers’ 2015 combined capex could still be higher than 2014.

Both managements of AMAT and UMS are expecting a better 2H results…………..will see……

[Boon]

Samsung - Capex spending to reach record high in 2015
TSMC - Capex spending in 2015 is still expected to be higher than in 2014
Intel - Capex reduction in 2015 compared to 2014.
=> Overall, total capex of the 3 companies in 2015 is expected to be higher than in 2014.
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Should Investors Really Worry About Taiwan Semi Capex Cuts?

By Chris Lange April 16, 2015

http://247wallst.com/technology-3/2015/0...apex-cuts/
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Samsung only chipmaker to expand capex in 2015: sources

2015-05-12

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150512000259
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Digitimes Research: Samsung semiconductor capex to reach record high in 2015

Ricky Tu, DIGITIMES Research, Taipei [Monday 13 April 2015]

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20150413PD200.html

[Boon]

Both bookings and billings figures still hovering above the 1.5 billion mark level
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North American Semiconductor Equipment Industry Posts June 2015 Book-to-Bill Ratio of 0.98

SAN JOSE, Calif. — July 21, 2015 — North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.51 billion in orders worldwide in June 2015 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.98, according to the June EMDS Book-to-Bill Report published today by SEMI. A book-to-bill of 0.98 means that $98 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.

SEMI reports that the three-month average of worldwide bookings in June 2015 was $1.51 billion. The bookings figure is 2.6 percent lower than the final May 2015 level of $1.55 billion, and is 3.5 percent higher than the June 2014 order level of $1.46 billion.

The three-month average of worldwide billings in June 2015 was $1.54 billion. The billings figure is 1.0 percent lower than the final May 2015 level of $1.56 billion, and is 16.2 percent higher than the June 2014 billings level of $1.33 billion.

“The June book-to-bill saw slight declines in the three-month averages for both booking and billings compared to May,” said Denny McGuirk, president and CEO of SEMI. “Both figures, however, are above the trends reported one year ago and the first half of the year has been one of positive growth.”.......................................................

http://www.semi.org/en/node/57106?id=highlights

[Boon]

Fab Issues At 7nm And 5nm

New technologies after finFETs and how the industry is likely to get there if it can resolve some very tough issues.

JULY 23RD, 2015 - BY: MARK LAPEDUS

http://semiengineering.com/fab-challenge...m-and-5nm/
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Rethinking Manufacturing Models

Increased complexity in process technology and litho delays are forcing equipment companies to get much more aggressive about technology and market approaches.

JULY 23RD, 2015 - BY: ED SPERLING

http://semiengineering.com/rethinking-ma...ng-models/
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Surprises At SEMICON West

Inflections, new companies and materials, and new uses add up to some very interesting shifts—and a great show.

JULY 23RD, 2015 - BY: JOANNE ITOW

http://semiengineering.com/surprises-at-semicon-west/
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Challenges At Advanced Nodes

Experts at the table, part 1: How many process technologies do we need, and why new ones are being developed; FD-SOI as a platform for IoT, RF and MEMS/NEMS.

JULY 23RD, 2015 - BY: ED SPERLING

http://semiengineering.com/challenges-at...ced-nodes/

[Yoyo]

2nd Qtr result is out - Decent. Expecting brighter days.

http://infopub.sgx.com/Apps?A=COW_CorpAn...FY2015.pdf [Results]
http://infopub.sgx.com/Apps?A=COW_CorpAn...2Q2015.pdf [Press Release]

UMS DELIVERS 14% NET PROFIT GROWTH IN
2Q2015 AND CONTINUES DIVIDEND TRADITION
Highlights
 Revenue increased 8% from S$28.7 million in 2Q2014 to S$31.0 million in
2Q2015 while growing 13% sequentially from S$27.5 million in 1Q2015
 Net profit after tax increased 14% from S$7.2 million in 2Q2014 to S$8.3 million
in 2Q2015 and the Board declared interim dividend of S$0.01 per share
 UMS registered a free cash flow of S$12.6 million in 2Q2015 and a healthy cash
and cash equivalents of S$39.6 million as at 30 June 2015

“This quarter had been particularly rewarding for the Group, with increased business
activities and significant profit growth. With reference to our major customer’s view,
we look forward to a possibly stronger second half of this year vis-à-vis the second
half of last year, as we continue to pursue maximum returns for our shareholders.”
remarked Mr Andy Luong, Chief Executive Officer, UMS Holdings Limited on the Group’s
latest financial performance.