07/06/2002

Intel profits warning tips tech shares lower

A profits warning by computer chip manufacturer Intel has assisted a major slide in world stock markets taking the share market to its lowest level since October last year.

Markets dipped sharply when Intel warned shareholders that profits were likely to be disappointing, and by lunchtime on Friday the FTSE 100 had hit a low edging on its way to 4,900 points.

Again the leading techs shares suffered as Intel, the world's largest maker of computer chips, seen as a barometer for the sector, indicated that profits for April would fall below forecasts.

Other shares hit hard were telecoms with Nokia reaching a three-year low and Ericsson plumbing a seven year low.

Pessimistic market analysts were predicting worse was to come as several tech and telecoms shares shed up to 5% and Vodafone dropped 6% to five year low.

However, there was better news on the economic front as Japan revealed the best growth performance in two years indicating a recovery from recession. This news was tempered by analysts who warned that a medium-term economic recovery was not likely to be sustainable, despite the low value of the Yen which was helping the performance of the Japanese economy.

Meanwhile, the US unemployment rate showed an unexpected fall of just under 6% in May from the previous month's eight-year high. However, economists reported continued concern among employers about the pace of recovery in the US economy which was impacting on the willingness of employers to take on staff.

(SP)

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