Semiconductor

The world's largest chipmaker is looking to promote its technology products through a new association with the seven-time Grammy Award winner. Says will.i.am: "When I see an Intel chip, I think of all the creative minds involved that help to amplify my own creativity."

In a move to help it target tablet computers, cell-phone-chip designer Qualcomm has reportedly offered $3.5 billion to buy Atheros Communications, which has developed chips that connect wireless computers to the Internet.

Applied Materials, the world's largest maker of computer-chip-manufacturing equipment, says its profit for its fiscal fourth quarter more than tripled from the same period a year ago.

Samsung Electronics shares fell 2.5% to 773,000 won each, fueling declines in other Asian technology stocks, after the company forecast its third-quarter profit will fall from the second quarter's record high.

Global semiconductor revenue growth this year will be slower than previously expected, as weaker-than-expected demand for personal computers and other consumer-electronic devices will cause inventory to pile up, iSuppli said in a statement today.

Advanced Micro Devices has lowered its third-quarter sales guidance, citing weaker-than-expected demand for laptops in North America and Europe. The news comes after another chip maker, Intel, cut its third-quarter forecast last month.

IBM claims it has developed the world's fastest computer chip, and it plans to start shipping the chip as part of its zEnterprise System mainframe computers this month.

Add the $7.7 billion Intel is paying for McAfee to the $3.8 billion loss in the chipmaker's market value after its announcement, and the deal's cost to shareholders is $11.5 billion. But the purchase probably won't drive enough profits to cover that hefty price.

Applied Materials, the world's top semiconductor manufacturing equipment company, reported third quarter results Wednesday, posting earnings and sales that beat analyst estimates. AMAT's outlook also exceeded analyst expectations, so why hasn't the stock reacted much?

Tech stocks are on sale these days, giving buyers a chance to pick up shares at impressive discounts. The sale isn't due entirely to market jitters. A good sex scandal helped to create opportunity as did less-than-rosy earnings forecasts.