[Stiri IT] Applied Materials predicts upbeat revenue as chipmakers ramp up capacity

[REFLX]

Semiconductor equipment maker Applied Materials on Thursday eased fears of a slowdown with a strong revenue forecast for the fourth quarter, though supply chain snarls pinched its margins.

Chipmakers Intel and Micron Technology Inc have recently warned of an inventory build-up and declining spending on electronics, sparking worries that the industry's years-long growth run was at an end.

Chief Executive Gary Dickerson allayed the concerns, saying Applied Materials can overcome the dour economic outlook and that he remains positive about the prospects of the sector.

Revenue is expected to be US$6.6 billion (A$9.6 billion), plus or minus US$400 million, in the current quarter, compared with the US$6.57 billion estimated by analysts, according to Refinitiv data.

As Applied Materials also beat third-quarter expectations with a record revenue of US$6.52 billion, thanks to a flurry of orders from chipmakers building capacity in a bid to ease a widespread supply crunch.

Investors are relieved to see the outlook, said Summit Insights Group analyst Kinngai Chan, but warned of risks from the weakness in end markets such as electronics.

Demand has also been weakening from memory-chip makers who had hoarded supplies over the quarters to meet a strong demand and are now facing a sales drop.

"Semiconductor equipment supply will catch up with orders and then (orders will) weaken as capital spending must match up to end demand," Chan said.

Applied Materials has also been struggling to source components essential to its equipment due to supply chain bottlenecks that have been worsened by COVID-19 flare-ups in China.

That has forced the company to spend more on logistics, driving up expenses.

"We expect Applied to remain supply-constrained for the next several quarters," said Dickerson.

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