News
Tempe, AZ - The manufacturing sector grew in January for the 20th consecutive month, despite a drop in new orders and backlogs. Production reversed a three month slide, said the Institute for Supply Management.
Calling the inventory growth "significant," ISM chairman Norbert Ore said, the PMI reflects "continuing strength in manufacturing. However, manufacturers continue to struggle with prices, particularly for energy.
The PMI measure of economic activity fell 0.9 points sequentially from the revised December number, to 56.4%. New orders fell 6.1 points to 56.5%. However, production rose 1.1 points to 57.8%. Employment was up 4.8 points, to 58.1%.
Electronic Components and Equipment, and Industrial and Commercial Equipment and Computers were among the sectors reporting growth.
LAGUNA, Philippines - EMS provider Integrated Microelectronics Inc. will produce the RadarGolf Handheld golf ball finder device designed by Radar Golf Inc.
IMI president and chief executive Arthur R. Tan said, "We began working with Radar Golf in December 2003 and it is very exciting to see this breakthrough product now so close to coming to market."
Earlier this week, Radar Golf announced in a press release that independent lab tests found the company's patented ball performed equal to or better than competitive balls from Titleist, Callaway, Nike and Maxfli. The tests measured both distance and spin. The ball conforms to U.S. Golf Association standards.
The novel ball contains proprietary ball positioning system technology. When used with the RadarGolf device, balls can be detected from 30 to 100 feet away.
First shipments are scheduled for June.
The company today reported fourth-quarter revenues of $142.5 million, up 10%, sequentially and 8% year-on-year.
Net earnings were $6.6 million, vs. $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2003.
Full-year revenues of $531.3 million topped 2003 revenues by
15%. The company, which makes electronics gear, posted net earnings of $20 million, well above 2003 earnings of $12.6 million.
WESTFORD, MA, - MatrixOne Inc. said second-quarter revenues increased 31% to $35.1 million from $26.9 million in the same period last year.
The net loss was $400,000, compared to a net loss of $7.2 million in the same period last year.
Software license revenues increased 64% to $15.4 million from $9.4 million last year.
"We are pleased to report another very positive quarter with strong sequential and year-over-year revenue growth and improved bottom-line results. Our operating performance during the second quarter reflects the continued improvements in our company-wide sales execution, expanded implementations within our existing customer base and the adoption of our solutions by strategic new customers who are fueling the growth of the PLM market," said Mark F. O'Connell, president and CEO of MatrixOne.
FRAMINGHAM, MA - Worldwide IT spending reached $965 billion in 2004 and will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 6% from 2004 to 2008, says a new research report.
Recovery is expected in hardware sales worldwide, with revenues forecast to reach $465 billion by 2008, IDC said today. The research firm predicts robust spending from consumer, communications and media, and government.
Banking, discrete manufacturing and government are the largest IT buyers.
U.S. IT spending will reach $416 billion in 2005, up 5.8% from 2004.
In a press release, IDC said, "These results indicate a positive outlook for the U.S. and worldwide IT market, particularly after 2005. With an improving business environment and recent GDP gains, companies are loosening their restraints for information technology investments."
The firm also forecast U.S. sales of PCs will reach $49 billion in 2005.
FRAMINGHAM, MA - The worldwide PC market remained strong in the fourth quarter as smaller businesses and holiday demand pushed sales 13.7% higher, IDC said today.
Total shipments rose to 51.5 million units for the quarter, the seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. Shipment growth topped earlier projections of 13%.
For the year, shipments were up 14.7%, to 177.5 million units.
IDC forecast 10% growth worldwide in 2005.
"PC replacements and new investment should continue to drive commercial growth at least through the end of 2005," said Loren Loverde, an IDC director.
The top five companies are Dell, HP, IBM, Fujitsu/Fujitsu Siemens and Toshiba. Apple grew more than 25% during the quarter, a significant improvement over prior quarters, reflecting the introduction of the G5 iMac as well as the "halo effect" from the popularity of Apple's music business.
