SAN JOSE— North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers reversed course in December, posting a 28.6% sequential increase in orders.

VELLINGE, SWEDEN -- PartnerTech today lowered its revenue and profit guidance for its fourth quarter, citing postponed or sharply decreased volumes from a number of customers. The company is instituting a series of plant consolidations and layoffs as a result.

PLAYA VISTA, CA -- Belkin will acquire the home networking business unit of Cisco for an undisclosed price, the company said today. The deal, which is expected to close in March, includes the Linksys brand of consumer-based routers.

WASHINGTON -- The US Defense Logistics Agency today issued a brief instituting DNA marking for any company that seeks to supply electronics components deemed to be high counterfeit risks.