Highlights include Intersil Corporation (ISIL) and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD).Intersil Corporation (ISIL) is an OEM of analog and mixed signal semiconductor ICs. Management expressed confidence that the bottom is behind it, and judging from the increasing order rates and growing backlog, we are inclined to agree.The High Performance Analog market is a key reason we are bullish on the shares.The basics of operating in the high-performance analog market include consistent introduction of new and innovative products that offer something more than that currently available in the market. The degree of innovation drives ASPs and margins for analog companies, and also serves as a general indicator of the life of the products. Intersil recently introduced several new products into the high-end consumer market.The new high frequency synchronous buck regulator is designed to power transmission power amps in cell phones. ...

Intersil (ISIL) Drives Innovation in Several End-MarketsThe basics of operating in the high-performance analog market include consistent introduction of new and innovative products that offer something more than that currently available in the market. The degree of innovation drives ASPs and margins for analog companies and also serves as a general indicator of the life of the products.Intersil introduced several new products into the high-end consumer market. The new high frequency synchronous buck regulator is designed to power transmission power amps in cell phones. It also introduced a digital output sensor with special options that allow low light sensitivity and good spectral response even in sunlight.In the 1st quarter, the company secured its first design win in the SERDES family, revenue from which will be more of a late 2009, early 2010 story. More recent introductions include a family of high-voltage LCD ...

AuthenTec, Inc. stock was upgraded from “Outperform” to “Strong Buy” by Raymond James Financial on Thursday (June 12th). The announcement fueled a rapid appreciation of 12.3 percent for the day.

AuthenTec itself has been growing by leaps and bounds, seeing a 67 percent revenue increase in the first quarter of 2008. In a recent conference call held to discuss the quarter ended March 31st, the company expressed the belief that 2008 revenues will only continue to grow. It is estimated that earnings for the second quarter will total more than $17.2 million, as a result of large-volume shipments of the company’s “AES 2810″ PC fingerprint-authentication product. It has also been reported that Intel’s Montevina laptops will come equipped with the AES 2810 sensors, to begin shipping in the second half of 2008.

In addition, AuthenTec has announced its intent to step up research and development efforts in a play for an

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