Germany's economy shrank by 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the previous quarter, its worst quarterly performance since 1990. This was the third consecutive quarterly drop in Europe's biggest economy, according to the initial data from the Federal Statistics Office.

China's exports fell more than expected in January, down 17.5% from a year earlier, marking the biggest drop in more than 10 years, figures have shown. Analysts say the slowdown could prompt more factory closures and job losses, while some argue that this worsening trend will continue, as the world economy contracts.

Sales at US retailers rebounded in January after six consecutive months of declines, rising 1% as stores cut prices and offered giveaways and three-for-one deals to move inventory after a dismal holiday shopping season, the government reported Thursday. Sales at electronics and appliance stores rose 1.6%.

The largest series of solar installations in history, more than 1,300 megawatts, is planned for the desert outside Los Angeles, according to a new deal between the utility Southern California Edison and solar power plant maker, BrightSource.

Altera Corp will spend US$20-25 million this year on its worldwide operations to grow new technologies and products. The company is also looking to open R&D sites in its Penang plant (Malaysia).

SanDisk and Toshiba has announced the co-development of multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory using 32nm process technology to produce a 32Gb 3-bits-per-cell (X3) memory chip for products ranging from memory cards to solid state drives (SSD).

SanDisk has announced that it will begin mass-production of 4-bits-per-cell (X4) flash memory. Using 43nm process technology, this breakthrough enables 64Gb memory in a single die. The X4 memory chip combines with the X4 controller chip in a multi-chip package (MCP) to provide a complete, integrated and low-cost storage solution.

Infineon Technologies AG CEO Peter Bauer said he will take a 20% pay cut in 2009 as Europe's second-largest maker of semiconductors faces a "difficult year" filled with "many tough challenges."

After months of potential acquisition talks, Microchip Technology Inc Tuesday officially ended its pursuit of FPGA maker Atmel.

Research In Motion (RIM) said its quarterly earnings and gross margin would come in at the low end of expectations even as subscriber growth topped forecasts, a warning that sent shares of the BlackBerry maker down 12% Wednesday.

Pioneer will cut 10,000 jobs and close its television operations as the slump in global electronics sales forced the company to widen its annual loss forecast to a record 130 billion yen (US$1.44 billion).

Rumors at ISSCC and other events are that Taiwan foundry vendor United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) is mulling over plans to join IBM's "fab club." The group, which co-develops advanced process technology and shares the associated costs, consists of AMD, Chartered, IBM, Infineon, ST, Toshiba, NEC, Freescale and Sony. AMD's proposed foundry spin-off is also part of the group.

Applied Materials, the world's largest manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment, posted its first quarterly loss since 2003 and said it would cut back production, sending its shares sliding 3.2%.

Democratic leadership sources say they have worked out a way around the disagreement between the Senate and House over education funding in the economic stimulus bill.