Applied Materials CEO Michael Splinter cited strong demand in Asia and in the semiconductor business, offering an “optimistic” outlook on business conditions.
Splinter said the Santa Clara, California-based tech company has begun rehiring as demand in the semiconductor sector "has picked up quite a bit." He emphasized that the firm is "still quite cautious” and thus hiring will “go step by step to see how our customers continue to invest.”
Referring to solid sales of PCs, cell phones and flat-panel TVs and demand moving to next-generation technology, Splinter called the pickup across the industry “real” growth, rather than replenishing depleted inventory.