Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT)

This stock has underperformed nearly every other stock I've owned over the past 10 years. Maybe it will do something now that I sold it.

When the overly optimistic FOMC says that household spending will be "constrained" by sluggish income growth, ongoing job losses, lower household wealth, and tight credit AND Shanghai stocks hit a seven-week low, then you know this bear market rally is finally over!

The 1929-1930 equity rally (coming out of The Great Depression) lasted 147 days and the market was up 46%. It has been the same amount of time since the March, 2009 low and we are up about the same percentage. It’s déjà vu (paramnesia), so prepare for a drop of about the same percentage (85%).

Market demand is terrible for the next 16 months.

Bad timing...no demand.

Sales have gone down over the last 5 years and their does not seem to be any expansion in the chip business.

Obama is a big believer in Solar power. Oil is going to go back up and we will need the infrastructure in place to flip the switch when oil bubbles up again.

New orders are down, profits are down. Net sales have decreased dramatcally (28% by estimate). While Solar and LCD sales are up, they don't fully compensate for the down turn in the core business. I see a lackluster 4thQ and 2009 for them.

confidence problem, middle management cutting indians to placate chiefs

AMAT has a history of making advances in the manufacturing of semiconductors (and other sundry applications in nanotechnology), but fails to perform when it comes to production quality standards - leaving room for competitors to advance. Couple that with antiquated workforce management practices, and you dont necessarily have a recipe for disaster, but certainly one for underperformance.

I keep waiting for AMAT to take off, but it has gone nowhere much, and where is something to change that?

this company just came through with newer flat panel display materials and usually is a good performer as stocks go as it drops now it is a good time to acquire more.

AMAT's leadership team needs to focus on employee motivation rather than sending more jobs offshore

You have to respect AMAT. They are very very good at what they do. The big question is whether there is sufficient profits to be squeezed over another long haul. And it IS profit potential we're hunting for. I have my doubts that AMAT can find new markets in the chip industry. There are many others in their corner that seem to be struggling.

Historical activity and product offering

Stuck in the semiconductor rat hole

While I'm hoping for better I don't see any catalyst to spark performance. They may do as well as the S&P, I hope, but what will reignite them?

globalisation of semiconn and the emergence of apac research will impede amat's ability to innovate and press margins

overcapacity in semis with big inventory build