AMD and Marvell search for exposure in new markets

NEW YORK, USA: 2010 was a difficult year for many chipmakers. While the smartphone and tablet trends have given certain key industry players many new sources of revenue, we are seeing somewhat of a double-edged sword as the tablet craze is having negative effects on PC sales.

As a result, semiconductor companies whose niches are focused on PCs are already seeing their ratings slashed by analysts and are beginning to report less than impressive earnings. Additionally, the market for graphics processors is hurting due to a slowdown in laptop sales.

The Bedford Report examines the outlook for companies in the semiconductor industry and provides research reports on AMD and Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

Analysts had been forecasting negative long term effects of the iPad and other tablet computers on the PC industry. According to market research firms Gartner and IDC's estimates, worldwide PC shipments grew 7.6 percent during the most recent quarter, well below its anticipated projection of 12.7 percent.

AMD's CEO Dirk Meyer said during the company's third quarter earnings call that the tablet "represented a disruption" -- particularly for the laptop business. The market for graphics processors is hurting due to a slowdown in laptop sales. According to the analyst firm Jon Peddie Research, graphics product shipments were down 1 percent sequentially in the third quarter.

Marvell Technology has felt the sting on the tablet trend as well. Earlier this month shares of the company sunk after Goldman Sachs downgraded the company due to its lack of exposure to the tablet market. Marvell tech has plenty of exposure in the smartphone market, however. The company sells the chips used in various models of the immensely popular BlackBerry.