AMD, Intel CPU sales fell steeply in January, claim

That, said Handelsbanken Capital Markets, reflected Intel's profit warnings about a build up of stock in Q4 of last year.

In report to its clients, the firm said that average selling prices fell below $80, suggesting that the inventory build up was in notebook PC processors.

Nevertheless, every cloud has a silver lining. Handelsbanken analyst Bruce Diesen said sales of DRAM bounced back in January and flash memory remained buoyant. Not so good news for spot prices, however. DRAM prices stayed weak.

The same report said Broadcom (tick: BRCM) did well supplying wireless analogue processors, while sales of chips used in LCD TVs also continued to be bouyant.

China's import of high tech products rose by 33 per cent in January year on year, that reflects the rise in the country as a major manufacturing nexus. Taiwanese makers continue to move manufacturing to the mainland, with tech exports representing over 25 per cent of its total exports. µ

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