[$$] Pass the Chips, Please (at Barron's Online)

Word Count: 869 | Companies Featured in This Article: Intel , Altera, Texas Instruments, Altera, Xilinx, Nokia, Garmin, Microsoft JUDGING FROM LAST WEEK'S EARNINGS PERFORMANCE, if you're going to make a bet on the technology sector, put some chips on chips. Semiconductor stocks showed impressive strength on the back of better-than-expected results and prognostications from the likes of Intel and Altera, suggesting the worst of the cycle is behind the group. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which has typically found support around the 300-level during the past five years, soared on the earnings reports. The widely watched index is now up about 7% since hitting an intraday low of 337 little more than a week ago on July 11. Robust ... • THE FULL BARRON'S ARTICLE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS. • IF YOU ARE ALREADY A... [read full story]