Charles Smulders Expect Quotations

Around mid-2005 we started to see the growth in the replacements that had increased, begin to slow and it'll continue to lessen as we move further into 2006. We expect the average system price to continue to fall and though Q4 unit numbers aren't strong, there remains strong pricing pressure.

The economy is compounding saturation issues in the installed base, ... So I think until we see consumer confidence improve and the general economic situation improve, then we should not expect the upturn.

It continues to be a very difficult market, and until we see an economic upturn, we should continue to expect that to be the case.