TECHNOLOGY - July 29, 1998

Lam Research Corp., a maker of semiconductor equipment, reported a fourth-quarter loss as sales slid 18% and warned that it will be hurt in coming quarters by the slump in the chip industry. Fremont-based Lam had a loss of $1.9 million, or 5 cents a share, in the fourth quarter ended June 30, before charges for restructuring. In the year-ago quarter, the company lost $1.48 million, or 4 cents a share. Analysts had expected a loss of 6 cents. Sales fell to $230.6 million from $282.6 million.