Raw Data
Industry Group Indices
Investors fell over themselves to buy stock in communication companies, but enthusiasm cooled somewhat toward the end of the year as doubts grew about how many players the market will be able to support.
Semiconductor Book-to-bill Ratio
This key indicator for the semiconductor industry typically dips midyear. A book-to-bill ratio of 1.04 means that for every US$100 in chips shipped, the industry got $104 in orders.
Scientific Research
Scientists are rushing to solve the technical problems facing the information highway. The number of technical journal papers requested about ISDN had been falling since 1990, only to swing upwards last year.
Nikkei vs. Shochu
In the 1980s the Japanese drank imported scotch, but with the economic belt tightening, many consumers are now turning toward cheap and fiery Shochu to drown their bear-market blues.
