Semicon Plays a Game of Pick-Up Chips

Perhaps there will be strength in numbers.

After a big 2004, the chip-equipment industry has moseyed along this year, reflecting the lackluster growth of semiconductor makers.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which follows 19 semiconductor-related stocks, is flat for the year, but three of its four equipment components -- Applied Materials(AMAT Quote), Novellus Systems(NVLS Quote) and KLA-Tencor(KLAC Quote) -- are down between 3% and 8%, while the fourth, Teradyne(TER Quote), is off 30%. ...