I think the impairment charge seems to be a big negative surprise to investors.

Intel has a history of making smooth leadership transitions.

Intel will be a key beneficiary of any kind of recovery in information technology [IT] spending in 2004 and 2005.

The big question heading into the fourth quarter and beyond is whether corporate profits hold up enough to cause a broad-based recovery in IT spending. IT spending is probably at a bottom but the trajectory of the recovery is debatable.

The easy money has been made in many of the semi stocks, including Intel, but I still think some chips stocks have 20 to 25 percent upside left. This is hopefully the pause that refreshes.

Investors will tolerate a small increase in inventories -- about 5 to 10 percent -- as long as there is an expectation of strong third quarter sales.

This shows Intel's determination to stay ahead of the pack and invest in next generation technology in order to meet the market's needs.

Corporate IT spending tends to be quite slow in the beginning of the year. March could be a strong month so it was prudent for Intel to lower guidance.

Intel always has been and will remain a strong tech and manufacturing-focused company.