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Intel has taken the gloss off the market rally (BBC)

Computer chip maker Intel has unveiled a weaker than expected sales outlook, forcing microchip stocks sharply lower.

Intel said third quarter sales would fall within a range of between $8.3bn and $8.6bn, down from its previous estimate of $8.6bn-$9.2bn.

Intel blamed weak demand for computer chips, with customers still selling unsold stock from their inventories.

Analysts said the industry growth cycle had peaked, with many expecting a slowdown for the rest of 2004.

Earlier on Thursday, the US Semiconductor Industry Association reported that economic uncertainty and swelling inventories had led to slower sales.

"We're not looking to see things pick up much in the fourth quarter," said Kevin Rottinghaus at FTN Midwest Research.

Weaker demand for flash memory products, used in mobile phones, also looked set to affect Intel's sales.

Intel shares fell 7% in after-hours trading to $20.11, their lowest point since June 2003.

Other shares in the sector followed suit.

Applied Material dropped 3.5%, and graphics chip maker Nvidia fell 4%.

(Agencies)

microchip: electronic equipment consisting of a small crystal of a silicon semiconductor fabricated to carry out a number of electronic functions in an integrated circuit（微芯片）

semiconductor: a substance as germanium or silicon whose electrical conductivity is intermediate between that of a metal and an insulator; its conductivity increases with temperature and in the presence of impurities（半導體）