Xilinx, Inc

Xilinx, Inc is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world. Xilinx, Inc’s employees generate $350.7M in profits on $1.843B of revenue. Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years. Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but Xilinx, Inc is determined to remain a market leader. Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

Xilinx, Inc’s ticker symbol XLNX has recently been trading near $27.17 a share. The Xilinx, Inc corporate headquarters in San Jose CA predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $8.094B ensures sufficient liquidity. With a beta of 2.22, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole. When the average equity moves higher, Xilinx, Inc moves more aggressively.

Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world. Texas Instruments’s employees generate $4.272B in profits on $14.112B of revenue. Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years. Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but Texas Instruments is determined to remain a market leader. Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

Texas Instruments’s ticker symbol TXN has recently been trading near $37.99 a share. The Texas Instruments corporate headquarters in Dallas TX predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $54.467B ensures sufficient liquidity. With a beta of 2.12, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole. When the average equity moves higher, Texas Instruments moves more aggressively.

NVIDIA Corp.

NVIDIA Corp. is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world. NVIDIA Corp.’s employees generate $489.0M in profits on $3.231B of revenue. Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years. Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but NVIDIA Corp. is determined to remain a market leader. Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

NVIDIA Corp.’s ticker symbol NVDA has recently been trading near $42.54 a share. The NVIDIA Corp. corporate headquarters in Santa Clara CA predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $15.438B ensures sufficient liquidity. With a beta of 4.47, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole. When the average equity moves higher, NVIDIA Corp. moves more aggressively.

National Semiconductor

National Semiconductor is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world. National Semiconductor’s employees generate $404.0M in profits on $1.930B of revenue. Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years. Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but National Semiconductor is determined to remain a market leader. Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

National Semiconductor’s ticker symbol NSM has recently been trading near $28.46 a share. The National Semiconductor corporate headquarters in Santa Clara CA predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $8.831B ensures sufficient liquidity. With a beta of 2.48, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole. When the average equity moves higher, National Semiconductor moves more aggressively.

LSI Logic

LSI Logic is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world. LSI Logic’s employees generate $186.3M in profits on $1.972B of revenue. Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years. Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but LSI Logic is determined to remain a market leader. Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

LSI Logic’s ticker symbol LSI has recently been trading near $7.61 a share. The LSI Logic corporate headquarters in Milpitas CA predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $5.844B ensures sufficient liquidity. With a beta of 2.65, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole. When the average equity moves higher, LSI Logic moves more aggressively.

Linear Technology Corp.

Linear Technology Corp. is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world.  Linear Technology Corp.’s employees generate $431.6M in profits on $1.108B of revenue.  Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years.  Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but Linear Technology Corp. is determined to remain a market leader.  Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

Linear Technology Corp.’s ticker symbol LLTC has recently been trading near $36.63 a share.  The Linear Technology Corp. corporate headquarters in Milpitas CA predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $9.298B ensures sufficient liquidity.  With a beta of 1.36, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole.  When the average equity moves higher, Linear Technology Corp. moves more aggressively.

Maxim Integrated Prod

Maxim Integrated Prod is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world.  Maxim Integrated Prod’s employees generate $464.4M in profits on $1.937B of revenue.  Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years.  Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but Maxim Integrated Prod is determined to remain a market leader.  Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

Maxim Integrated Prod’s ticker symbol MXIM has recently been trading near $33.40 a share.  The Maxim Integrated Prod corporate headquarters in Sunnyvale CA predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $10.690B ensures sufficient liquidity.  With a beta of 1.96, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole.  When the average equity moves higher, Maxim Integrated Prod moves more aggressively.

Micron Technology

Micron Technology is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world.  Micron Technology’s employees generate $215.2M in profits on $5.624B of revenue.  Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years.  Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but Micron Technology is determined to remain a market leader.  Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

Micron Technology’s ticker symbol MU has recently been trading near $12.38 a share.  The Micron Technology corporate headquarters in Boise ID predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $9.364B ensures sufficient liquidity.  With a beta of 2.06, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole.  When the average equity moves higher, Micron Technology moves more aggressively.

KLA-Tencor Corp.

KLA-Tencor Corp. is among the world’s largest Semiconductor Equipment sector businesses in the world.  KLA-Tencor Corp.’s employees generate $509.7M in profits on $2.574B of revenue.  Global output in the Semiconductor Equipment business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years.  Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but KLA-Tencor Corp. is determined to remain a market leader.  Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductor Equipment segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

KLA-Tencor Corp.’s ticker symbol KLAC has recently been trading near $55.50 a share.  The KLA-Tencor Corp. corporate headquarters in San Jose CA predicts Semiconductor Equipment profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $10.635B ensures sufficient liquidity.  With a beta of 2.58, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole.  When the average equity moves higher, KLA-Tencor Corp. moves more aggressively.

Intel Corp.

Intel Corp. is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world.  Intel Corp.’s employees generate $5.323B in profits on $35.294B of revenue.  Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years.  Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but Intel Corp. is determined to remain a market leader.  Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

Intel Corp.’s ticker symbol INTC has recently been trading near $24.13 a share.  The Intel Corp. corporate headquarters in Santa Clara CA predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $140.195B ensures sufficient liquidity.  With a beta of 2.08, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole.  When the average equity moves higher, Intel Corp. moves more aggressively.

Broadcom Corporation

Broadcom Corporation is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world. Broadcom Corporation’s employees generate $322.3M in profits on $3.669B of revenue. Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years. Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but Broadcom Corporation is determined to remain a market leader. Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

Broadcom Corporation’s ticker symbol BRCM has recently been trading near $29.62 a share. The Broadcom Corporation corporate headquarters in Irvine, CA predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $16.024B ensures sufficient liquidity. With a beta of 3.41, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole. When the average equity moves higher, Broadcom Corporation moves more aggressively.

Analog Devices

Analog Devices is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world. Analog Devices’s employees generate $561.7M in profits on $2.634B of revenue. Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years. Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but Analog Devices is determined to remain a market leader. Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

Analog Devices’s ticker symbol ADI has recently been trading near $38.14 a share. The Analog Devices corporate headquarters in Norwood, MA predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $12.476B ensures sufficient liquidity. With a beta of 1.59, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole. When the average equity moves higher, Analog Devices moves more aggressively.

Applied Materials

Applied Materials is among the world’s largest Semiconductor Equipment sector businesses in the world. Applied Materials’s employees generate $1.776B in profits on $9.869B of revenue. Global output in the Semiconductor Equipment business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years. Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but Applied Materials is determined to remain a market leader. Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductor Equipment segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

Applied Materials’s ticker symbol AMAT has recently been trading near $20.14 a share. The Applied Materials corporate headquarters in Santa Clara, CA predicts Semiconductor Equipment profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $27.833B ensures sufficient liquidity. With a beta of 2.05, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole. When the average equity moves higher, Applied Materials moves more aggressively.

Advanced Micro Devices

Advanced Micro Devices is among the world’s largest Semiconductors sector businesses in the world. Advanced Micro Devices’s employees generate $-962.00M in profits on $5.550B of revenue. Global output in the Semiconductors business will likely rise substantially over the next 10 years. Long-term economic growth may lift all boats, but Advanced Micro Devices is determined to remain a market leader. Sectoral leadership in the Semiconductors segment takes dedication and consistency, but management seeks out-sized growth.

Advanced Micro Devices’s ticker symbol AMD has recently been trading near $14.23 a share. The Advanced Micro Devices corporate headquarters in Sunnyvale, CA predicts Semiconductors profits will satisfy shareholders in search of risk-appropriate returns.

The significance of market volume is sometimes ignored, but with a total market capitalization of $7.833B ensures sufficient liquidity. With a beta of 3.89, the company is more volatile than the market as a whole. When the average equity moves higher, Advanced Micro Devices moves more aggressively.

Is A Benevolent Duopoly about to End?

The NYT reports that Advanced Micro Devices plans major cuts in hiring after a surprise revenue forecast more than $400 million below it's own January numbers. This crisis is potentially life-threatening for AMD because of its cutthroat competition with much larger rival Intel.

Consumers have been the big winners over the last few years as both Intel and AMD have suffered shrinking profit margins and simultaneously increased the pace of innovation. But the semiconductor market could easily be one of a handful of markets that is most efficiently served by a monopoly. The problem with semiconductors is that the cutting edge facilities required to manufacture computer chips in the quantities necessary for the mass consumer market seem to have grown unbelievably expensive. In ten years, it might cost $10 billion for just one fabrication facility that in 1990 might have cost only $100 million. This incredible change in the order of magnitude of costs means that only a handful of companies worldwide can afford to build these facilities. If costs continue to rise, it may only be efficient for one company to invest in these massive undertakings.

The consumer electronics world is much richer because of the competition between Intel and AMD. It is always possible that AMD's planned chip code-named "Barcelona" will be a sufficient challenger to beat back Intel's current champ the "Core 2 Duo". But Intel already has two successor chips of its own lined up and AMD's cost-cutting won't help it keep up with the intellectual arms race.

Before AMD, Intel turned out improved products more infrequently and charged higher prices. If Intel succeeds in driving AMD out of competition for microchips, all consumers will be at least slightly worse off.