Credit Suisse First Boston Technology Group Announces Investment Opinion on PRI Automation.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 1999--

Credit Suisse First Boston Initiates Coverage

of PRI Automation with a Buy Rating

Credit Suisse First Boston Technology Group analyst Kathryn Buergert initiated coverage today of PRI Automation (PRIA) with a BUY rating and 12-month price target of $45. EPS estimates are FY99 $(0.93), FY00 $0.90, and FY01 $1.70.

PRI Automation is the largest supplier of fab automation equipment, with a leading position in transport systems, atmospheric components and automation software. "With capacity utilization rates rising, the need to raise fab productivity is expanding the market for PRI's automation gear and adding to its customer list," said Buergert in a research note issued earlier this morning. Orders have rebounded sharply and with backlog replenished, expanding demand, and cyclical upswing, PRIA's forecasted EPS has upside. "We anticipate a threefold rise in fully-taxed EPS to $1.58 on 37% top-line growth," stated Buergert.

Credit Suisse First Boston is a leading global investment banking firm, providing comprehensive financial advisory, capital raising, sales and trading, and financial products for users and suppliers of capital around the world. It operates in over 60 offices across more than 30 countries and has over 14,000 employees. For the year ended Dec. 31, 1998, CSFB had $6.7 billion in revenues, $7.1 billion in equity and $291 billion in assets. The Firm is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Zurich-based Credit Suisse Group.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.