根据《圣何塞水星报》对硅谷150家大公司进行的调查，2001年高科技工业衰退是近年来最严重的一次，甚至超过1990年和1991年，高达898亿美元的亏损，超过前八年盈余的总和。据美林公司前任首席经济学家史屈拉森姆说：在我们最近的记忆中，没有1个行业是崩盘像这样的。
该报的调查显示，硅谷150家公司的销售下滑555亿美元，相当于18%，这也是自1985年以来，营收首度负增长。过去10年，硅谷150家公司中，有更多的公司亏损，1994年只有22家，去年则有96家亏损。
经济学家与会计师目前正在研究，试图发现在这些亏损金额中，有多少是因为商业景气疲软造成的，以及有多少应归咎于1999至2000年间的过度扩充错误。这些大公司在去年的亏损金额包括：公司的营运亏损、公司重组支出以及过去并购价格过高的亏损。
为了分辨出经济不景气与错误决策的亏损，水星报的调查人员比较过这158上市公司过去10年间的2项数据：净利与现有营运的获利。这项数据的比较发现，硅谷各高科技公司去年的财务状况，其实比上述亏损数字显示的要好很多。因为尽管这些公司的总亏损额庞大，但那些最大的公司在2001年营运获利仍有83亿元。
这项调查并且发现，硅谷各高科技公司在受到获利的压力下，早在1990年代末期，就已经出现成长趋缓的迹象。
| 2001排名 | 2000排名 | 公司名称 | 业务范围 | 年收入(百万美元) | 利润(百万美元) |
| 1 | 1 | Hewlett-Packard | Computers, peripherals | $49,539.0 | $751.0 |
| 2 | 2 | Intel | Semiconductors | 33,726.0 | 1,291.0 |
| 3 | 3 | Cisco Systems | Networking equipment | 23,906.0 | (2,294.0) |
| 4 | 5 | Sun Microsystems | Servers, computer workstations | 19,182.0 | (563.0) |
| 5 | 4 | Solectron | Electronic manufacturing services | 19,495.2 | (614.5) |
| 6 | 7 | Oracle | Database software | 10,970.1 | 2,423.0 |
| 7 | 24 | Calpine | Power-generation facilities | 2,282.8 | 648.1 |
| 8 | 6 | Agilent | Test measurement instruments | 11,368.0 | (241.0) |
| 9 | 8 | Applied Materials | Semiconductor mfg. equip | 10,573.4 | 305.5 |
| 10 | 9 | Apple Computer | Computers | 6,647.0 | 208.0 |
| 11 | 10 | CNF | Trucking, air freight | 5,572.4 | (402.9) |
| 12 | 13 | AMD | Semiconductors | 4,644.2 | (60.6) |
| 13 | 19 | Maxtor | Hard disk drives | 2,704.9 | (646.4) |
| 14 | 14 | Sanmina-SCI | Electronic mfg.services | 4,543.9 | (120.7) |
| 15 | 18 | Ross Stores | Off-price clothing retailer | 2,709.0 | 155.0 |
| 16 | 15 | Knight Ridder | Newspaper publisher | 3,211.8 | 184.8 |
| 17 | 20 | Robert Half Int’l | Personnel services | 2,699.3 | 121.1 |
| 18 | 22 | Franklin Resources | Investment services | 2,338.5 | 453.8 |
| 19 | 21 | JDS Uniphase | Fiberoptic components | 2,630.2 | (57,564.8) |
| 20 | 27 | KLA-Tencor | Semiconductor mfg. equip | 1,778.6 | 401.8 |
| 21 | 11 | Cornerstone Propane | Markets propane gas | 5,153.1 | (31.2) |
| 22 | 29 | Siebel Systems | Sales, marketing software | 1,795.4 | 254.6 |
| 23 | 28 | Bell Microproducts | Electronics distributor | 1,804.1 | (22.1) |
| 24 | 17 | LSI Logic | Semiconductors | 2,737.7 | (992.0) |
| 25 | 26 | SGI | Computer workstations | 2,011.0 | (405.0) |
| 26 | 16 | 3Com | Networking equipment | 3,116.5 | (1,089.9) |
| 27 | 37 | Electronic Arts | Entertainment software | 1,309.3 | 36.3 |
| 28 | 35 | Granite Construction | Heavy construction | 1,348.3 | 50.5 |
| 29 | 40 | Veritas Software | Storage-management software | 1,207.3 | (651.4) |
| 30 | 23 | National Semiconductor | Semiconductors | 2,306.7 | (183.4) |
| 31 | 25 | Atmel | Semiconductors | 2,012.7 | (418.3) |
| 32 | 39 | Cadence Design | Electronic design software | 1,279.6 | 141.3 |
| 33 | 31 | Lam Research | Semiconductor mfg. equip | 1,389.7 | 62.8 |
| 34 | 42 | Intuit | Personal financial software | 1,136.5 | (48.1) |
| 35 | 58 | Nvidia | 3D graphics processors | 735.3 | 177.1 |
| 36 | 41 | Novellus Systems | Semiconductor mfg. equip | 1,319.5 | 144.5 |
| 37 | 33 | E*Trade | Electronic brokerage services | 1,429.0 | (241.5) |
| 38 | 36 | Adobe Systems | Software for printing and display | 1,313.1 | 185.7 |
| 39 | 12 | Quantum | Data storage, protection | 4,760.2 | 84.1 |
| 40 | 32 | Xilinx | Programmable logic devices | 1,558.9 | (310.0) |
| 41 | 44 | Maxim Integrated | Mixed-signal semiconductors | 1,073.3 | 211.6 |
| 42 | 52 | Symantec | Network security software | 790.2 | (60.4) |
| 43 | 77 | VeriSign | Internet security | 474.8 | (13,356.0) |
| 44 | 50 | BEA Systems | Internet-based enterprise software | 819.8 | (35.7) |
| 45 | 30 | Palm | Handheld computing devices | 1,744.3 | (446.8) |
| 46 | 62 | Juniper Networks | Internet infrastructure systems | 673.5 | (13.4) |
| 47 | 34 | Altera | Programmable logic devices | 1,376.8 | (39.8) |
| 48 | 56 | Network Associates | Network security, mgmt software | 745.7 | (99.3) |
| 49 | 46 | Network Appliance | Network data storage devices | 980.4 | (4.3) |
| 50 | 38 | Cypress Semiconductor | Semiconductors | 1,287.8 | (407.4) |
| 51 | 60 | Varian Medical Systems | Medical electronics | 709.8 | 71.7 |
| 52 | 55 | Rational Software | Software development tools | 753.7 | (57.7) |
| 53 | 57 | Varian | Scientific instruments | 735.7 | 46.1 |
| 54 | 81 | eBay | Internet-based auction services | 431.4 | 90.4 |
| 55 | 49 | Linear Technology | Linear integrated circuits | 886.7 | 301.6 |
| 56 | 43 | Yahoo | Internet media content | 1,110.2 | (92.8) |
| 57 | 59 | Synopsys | Electronic design software | 724.1 | 61.4 |
| 58 | 63 | Read-Rite | Disk-drive components | 631.3 | 18.9 |
| 59 | 68 | Electronics for Imag. | Networked printers | 588.4 | 38.9 |
| 60 | 72 | West Marine | Boating supplies retailer | 508.4 | 13.9 |
| 61 | 47 | Integrated Device Tech. | Semiconductors | 976.4 | (53.9) |
| 62 | 71 | Hyperion Solutions | Enterprise applications software | 523.4 | (23.6) |
| 63 | 117 | Openwave | Internet-based communications | 286.6 | (963.7) |
| 64 | 88 | Trimble Navigation | Satellite-based navigation | 369.8 | (22.9) |
| 65 | 80 | Brocade Communications | Storage area networking | 451.3 | (18.0) |
| 66 | 66 | Coherent | Medical, commercial lasers | 595.6 | 91.3 |
| 67 | 67 | Aspect Communications | Call-processing systems | 590.5 | (151.8) |
| 68 | 83 | Extreme Networks | Network switching solutions | 423.8 | (128.1) |
| 69 | 53 | Adaptec | Storage access | 684.5 | (139.6) |
| 70 | 90 | Avant! | Electronic design software | 358.1 | (156.0) |
| 71 | 92 | Polycom | Audio/data conferencing | 331.3 | (27.7) |
| 72 | 65 | SanDisk | Flash-memory storage | 601.8 | (297.9) |
| 73 | 95 | Mercury Interactive | Quality testing software | 307.0 | 34.2 |
| 74 | 124 | Covad Communications | DSL communications | 158.7 | 344.8 |
| 75 | 85 | Plantronics | Telephone headsets | 403.2 | 36.9 |
| 76 | 74 | Chippac | Semi. testing, packaging | $494.4 | ($93.7) |
| 77 | 94 | Genencor Int’l | Diversified biotechnology | 316.2 | 10.5 |
| 78 | 102 | Handspring | Handheld computing devices | 272.3 | (146.9) |
| 79 | 97 | Tibco Software | E-business software | 291.9 | (9.4) |
| 80 | 87 | Foundry Networks | Networking components | 377.2 | 2.9 |
| 81 | 78 | Siliconix | Semiconductors | 473.1 | 15.1 |
| 82 | 75 | Silicon Storage | Nonvolatile memory products | 490.3 | (29.0) |
| 83 | 82 | Ariba | Electronic commerce software | 425.8 | (2,494.3) |
| 84 | 86 | DMC Stratex Networks | Wireless communications | 395.9 | (199.2) |
| 85 | 89 | Komag | Disk-drive components | 358.5 | (296.4) |
| 86 | 91 | Terayon Communication | Broadband access systems | 339.5 | (563.8) |
| 87 | 96 | ESS Technology | Mixed-signal semiconductors | 303.4 | (1.8) |
| 88 | 79 | Asyst Technologies | Semiconductor mfg. equip | 472.0 | (152.0) |
| 89 | 108 | California Water | Water utility | 244.8 | 15.0 |
| 90 | 84 | BroadVision | Enterprise applications software | 413.9 | (827.2) |
| 91 | 111 | Legato Systems | Storage management software | 231.4 | (81.5) |
| 92 | 121 | Gilead Sciences | Therapeutic viral medicines | 195.6 | 52.3 |
| 93 | 130 | Mattson Technology | Semiconductor mfg. equip | 180.6 | (336.7) |
| 94 | 100 | Redback Networks | Broadband networking | 278.0 | (4,118.0) |
| 95 | 107 | Pinnacle Systems | Video post production | 258.8 | (59.0) |
| 96 | 118 | Affymetrix | Genetic information systems | 200.8 | (33.1) |
| 97 | 179 | NetIQ | E-business software | 101.4 | (672.1) |
| 98 | 123 | Borland Software | Software development tools | 191.1 | 23.1 |
| 99 | 122 | Incyte Genomics | Computer-aided DNA research | 194.2 | (183.2) |
| 100 | 93 | Micrel | Analog power integrated circuits | 346.3 | 0.6 |
| 101 | 70 | SonicBlue | Multimedia, Internet appliances | 536.7 | (756.2) |
| 102 | --1 | Riverstone Networks | Metro area network routers | 98.3 | (30.7) |
| 103 | 131 | Essex Property | Real estate investment trust | 178.7 | 48.5 |
| 104 | 106 | Harmonic | Broadband delivery | 263.0 | (166.4) |
| 105 | 152 | Interwoven | Web-site content software | 132.1 | (129.2) |
| 106 | 101 | Glenborough Realty | Real estate investment trust | 255.7 | 24.3 |
| 107 | 61 | Credence Systems | Semiconductor test equipment | 701.1 | (132.4) |
| 108 | 139 | Informatica | E-business software | 154.1 | (45.0) |
| 109 | 216 | ONI Systems | Optical networking equip. | 59.7 | (188.3) |
| 110 | 114 | Landec | Specialty polymer products | 223.8 | (7.6) |
| 111 | 136 | SCM Microsystems | Network access products | 157.8 | (68.3) |
| 112 | 129 | Dionex | Chromatography systems | 180.9 | 29.4 |
| 113 | 119 | Visx | Laser vision correction | 200.2 | 10.9 |
| 114 | 190 | Digital Video Systems | Digital video compression | 87.8 | 0.9 |
| 115 | 164 | Mission West | Commercial real estate | 115.9 | 18.1 |
| 116 | 223 | Centillium | Broadband communications | 56.5 | (19.7) |
| 117 | 104 | Inktomi | Large-scale network software | 267.9 | (287.8) |
| 118 | 137 | Finisar | Fiberoptic test systems | 157.2 | (220.8) |
| 119 | 103 | Portal Software | Customer mgmt. software | 268.3 | (395.5) |
| 120 | 112 | Actel | Field-programmable gate arrays | 226.4 | (4.7) |
| 121 | --2 | Roxio | Digital media software | 115.0 | 0.1 |
| 122 | 156 | SJW | Water utility | 123.2 | 14.0 |
| 123 | 150 | Vitria Technology | E-business software | 134.7 | (53.6) |
| 124 | 144 | Coast Distribution | Recreational vehicles, parts | 147.5 | (2.5) |
| 125 | 133 | Oak Technology | Semiconductors | 176.9 | (47.3) |
| 126 | 145 | Ultratech Stepper | Semiconductor mfg. equip | 146.7 | (17.8) |
| 127 | 146 | Brio Technology | Business intelligence software | 145.4 | (22.4) |
| 128 | 153 | E.piphany | Customer relationship software | 127.3 | (2,609.4) |
| 129 | 126 | Therma-Wave | Semiconductor mfg. equip | 185.8 | (3.0) |
| 130 | 120 | Com21 | High-speed broadband access | 194.0 | (126.3) |
| 131 | 134 | Spectrian | Radio frequency amplifiers | 175.5 | (13.1) |
| 132 | 161 | AXT | Semiconductor materials | 121.5 | (5.0) |
| 133 | 148 | Symmetricom | Network synchronization equip. | 139.1 | 8.3 |
| 147 | Media Arts Group | Art reproduction | 145.2 | (0.6) | |
| 135 | 171 | DSP Group | Digital signal processing cores | 109.5 | 21.9 |
| 136 | 149 | Trident Microsystems | VLSI circuit graphics products | 134.9 | (79.8) |
| 137 | 141 | Phoenix Technologies | System software for digital devices | 150.8 | (27.7) |
| 138 | 207 | SonicWall | Internet security products | 69.4 | (20.9) |
| 139 | 151 | Verity | Information retrieval software | 134.2 | 7.1 |
| 140 | 198 | Zoran | Integ. circuits for digital video | 79.7 | (36.1) |
| 141 | 184 | Rambus | Chip-to-chip interface tech. | 95.1 | 24.4 |
| 142 | 174 | Western Multiplex | Broadband wireless access | 105.5 | (25.6) |
| 143 | 178 | Exponent | Engineering failure analysis | 101.6 | 6.1 |
| 144 | 109 | P-Com | Wireless communications | 234.4 | (75.5) |
| 145 | 127 | Integrated Silicon Solution | Semiconductors | 183.9 | (33.9) |
| 146 | 135 | Net.com | Broadband platforms | 164.3 | (48.6) |
| 147 | 197 | Macrovision | Video security | 80.1 | 19.2 |
| 148 | --1 | Netscreen Technologies | Network security systems | 40.9 | (60.2) |
| 149 | 155 | Elantec | Analog integrated circuits | 126.2 | (0.4) |
| 150 | 193 | Sangstat Medical | Transplantation biotechnology | 63.1 | (9.4) |
