Applied Materials is cutting its SunFab line of equipment to make amorphous-silicon solar panels. The move marks the end of the semiconductor-equipment giant's big thin-film solar ambitions. What's next for AMAT?
One nation industrial and two regional surveys released this week provided further evidence that the U.S. economic recovery weakened somewhat in the second quarter, as manufacturing growth slowed.
Optimists will note that the sector kept growing in June -- its 11th straight month of growth. The pessimists will argue that the ISM index's plunge to 56.2 from 59.7 in May represents another sign of a slowing economic recovery.
Sure, durable goods orders fell 1.1% in the month -- the first decline in six months. But if you remove the volatile transportation component, orders rose 0.9%, confirming an ongoing expansion in the nation's manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing activity in the New York region increased in June, the New York Fed said, but it was not a slam-dunk bullish report. New orders rose, but prices paid and manufacturers outlook regarding the future declined -- suggesting that manufacturers have taken a cautious stance toward the recovery.
The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index expanded for the 10th straight month. A key employment component also rose -- suggesting more job gains in the sector and for the U.S. economy overall in May.
Manufacturing activity in the New York region unexpectedly slowed in May, the Fed said, but key index components such as orders, shipments, and employment, continue to confirm an ongoing economic expansion.
The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index rose to 60.4 -- its highest level since June 2004. It was the ninth consecutive monthly rise for the index and indicates that the expansion in manufacturing is becoming more broad-based.
