Published in PC Hardware

Broadcom bought in biggest chip deal ever

by on29 May 2015


Industry consolidation

Avago bought Broadcom for $37 billion in the largest merger of chipmakers ever and created a company which could give Intel and Qualcomm a run for their money.

 

Avago, which serves the wireless and industrial markets, is offering Broadcom shareholders $17 billion in cash and Avago shares valued at $20 billion. Broadcom makes connectivity chips, for the likes of Apple and Samsung.

It is the biggest deal so far by Avago Chief Executive Hock Tan, who has developed a small chipmaker into a $36 billion company through acquisitions. He has trimmed Avago's portfolio by divesting units while bulking up in faster-growing areas.

The combined company will be based in Singapore and known as Broadcom, will be the third-largest U.S. semiconductor maker by revenue, behind Intel and Qualcomm.
The $37 billion price represents a premium of about 28 percent over Broadcom's market value of $28.85 billion as of Tuesday's close, before the Wall Street Journal reported that the companies were in talks.

Demand for cheaper chips and new products to power Internet-connected gadgets is driving consolidation in the industry.

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