Slump in the PC market. Intel, the world's leading microprocessor company (80% of the world market) has lowered its profits forecasts for the third quarter of 2012 in the wake of the slump in the PC market. Low global demand due to competition from touch-screen tablets has massively reduced the market and is raising questions about the whole computer environment because both Intel, and even more so its rival AMD, depend on the PC market. Intel expects to make a turnover of US$13.2 billion this tax year, compared with previous estimates of between US$13.8 billion and US$4.8 billion. The company will invest less this year than initially forecast (US$12.9 billion rather than US$12.9 billion). At the end of August, consultants IDC lowered its growth forecasts for the PC market in terms of volume to 0.9% in 2012, compared with its previous forecasts of 5%. (IL/transl.fl)