April 5, 2000

Leading semiconductor equipment maker Applied Materials <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(Nasdaq: AMAT)") else Response.Write("(Nasdaq: AMAT)") end if %> is on a roll right now. Simply fab! But not all Fools see the chip stocks the same way. Welcome, once again, to Dueling Fools.

This week, Justin McKenna ([email protected]) and Rick Aristotle Munarriz (TMF Edible) will take a closer look at both sides of the chip story. So, join us as we go macro on the microprocessors.

When you're done with the Duel, why not try on last year's Fruit of the Loom <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE: FTL)") else Response.Write("(NYSE: FTL)") end if %> bout for size in our Duel Flashback.

The Bull Argument... My point in this Duel is to convince you that the stock is a solid, long-term investment. To put it succinctly, and this is admittedly from Applied Material's own annual report: "Applied Materials is in the right business at the right time with the right capabilities." Continue »

The Bear Argument... While I hate to mention gold and semiconductors in the same breath, the truth of the matter is that they are both commodities and history has proven that the time to buy in is when most speculators are cashing out. The opposite also applies -- to more than just Applied. Continue »

The Bull Argument »

 This Week's Duel