After three years of grueling downturn, the semiconductor industry may have
entered a cyclical upturn last year. According to estimates from the
Semiconductor Industry Association, sales came to $144 billion in 1999 and
could reach $234 billion by 2002.
Sounds great – especially for chip IPOs. So, the inSilicon issue is
definitely timely. Based in San Jose, Calif., inSilicon is a leading provider
of communications semiconductor intellectual property used to design
systems-on-a-chip, or SOCs, that are critical components of digital
devices.
They have over 400 customers of different digital devices ranging from
network routers to cellular phones. The IPO looks like it will be red hot.
Robertson Stephens is the lead underwriter for this 3.5 million issue. The
proposed ticker symbol is INSN and the price range is $9 to $11.
Eprise Corp. provides software products and services that enable businesses to
manage the information contained on their Web sites. Users do not need HTML
or programming skills to create and update the Web content, and to protect
against unauthorized access. It’s kind of like the Dummies approach to
corporate computing.
Customers include American Express, EMC, and Novell.
The proposed ticker symbol is EPRS. Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown is the lead
underwriter and the price range is $8 to $10.
eMachines has provided low-priced personal computers since
November 1998. They have sold over one million of their $399-$899
computers mostly through Best Buy, Circuit City, Office Depot and Staples.
eMachines
said that on $307 million in sales in the fourth quarter of 1999 that they
had $2.2 million in net profits. Most of it came from fees for Internet
service contracts sold with their PCs, which are built in South Korea.
Credit Suisse First Boston is the lead underwriter. The 20 million share
offering is priced in the $8 to $10 range. The proposed ticker symbol is
EEEE.
Etinuum provides their clients with consultants, Web-based processing
technology, customer support personnel and communication services, and
database marketing and analysis services. In other words, the company is
full-service consultancy to make the Web a part of your business.
Their clients include Safeway, Sega and Sony.
The proposed ticker symbol is ETIN. Chase H&Q is the lead underwriter and
the proposed price range is $10 to $12.
