The semiconductor business is known for its steep up and down cycles.

Also, almost no one in the semiconductor business claims that protectionism remains a huge problem.

The volume of semiconductor business was up 8% on last year after product line pruning.

Control Data had previously said it would leave the semiconductor business.

However difficult the semiconductor business might be, it is considered an industry with a brighter future than steel.

Other steel companies are already in the semiconductor business.

The performance was considered strong because the semiconductor business usually slows down in the summer.

National's semiconductor business is healthy, but not growing so fast as at the industry leaders, these analysts said.

"This reminds me of the semiconductor business 10 or 15 years ago," he said.

But the main problem in the semiconductor business is slower sales to outside users.