The Falling U.S. Dollar Could Buck Up Chips In A Time Of Big Need Intel's Dour Forecast Hurts One bright spot hidden among the dark clouds of semiconductor industry.(INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY)

Byline: JAMES DETAR

Even as Intel Corp. shares and tech stocks in general sink, a chip trade group last week gave a report that might be more positive than it seems at first glance.

The Semiconductor Industry Association said in its midyear forecast Wednesday that worldwide chip sales this year will rise 3.1% vs. 2001.

Considering sales fell 32% last year, that's a big improvement. But oddly enough, at a time when the market is crying for good news, the group's prediction hides a factor that could raise that percentage. The SIA's forecast uses an exchange rate fixed from late March.

The dollar was rising at that time. But since then it's …