BY Fraser Tennant
In what would be the biggest tech deal ever seen, Broadcom Limited has announced a proposal to acquire fellow semiconductor company Qualcomm Incorporated in a deal valued at $130bn.
The acquisition would see Broadcom acquire all of the outstanding shares of Qualcomm for a per share consideration of $70.00 in cash and stock ($60.00 in cash and $10.00 per share in Broadcom shares). Broadcom's proposal represents a 28 percent premium over the closing price of Qualcomm common stock on 2 November 2017.
"Broadcom's proposal is compelling for stockholders and stakeholders in both companies,” said Hock Tan, president and chief executive of Broadcom. “Our proposal provides Qualcomm stockholders with a substantial and immediate premium in cash for their shares, as well as the opportunity to participate in the upside potential of the combined company.”
Broadcom has also stated that its proposal to acquire Qualcomm stands whether the pending acquisition of NXP Semiconductors by Qualcomm (the currently disclosed terms of $110 per share) is completed or terminated. Many commentators believe there is a serious possibility that Qualcomm's NXP acquisition will collapse in the wake of a Qualcomm-Broadcom deal.
Unanimously approved by Broadcom’s board of directors, the combination of Broadcom and Qualcomm will lead to a strong, global company with an impressive portfolio of technologies and products, according to Thomas Krause, Broadcom’s chief financial officer. “Given the complementary nature of our products, we are confident that any regulatory requirements necessary to complete a combination with Qualcomm will be met in a timely manner,” he said. “We look forward to engaging immediately in discussions with Qualcomm so that we can sign a definitive agreement and complete this transaction expeditiously."
Broadcom has stated its expectation that the proposed transaction would be completed within approximately 12 months following the signing of a definitive agreement.
Moelis & Company LLC, Citi, Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan, BofA Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley are acting as financial advisers to Broadcom. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Latham & Watkins LLP are acting as legal counsel.
Mr Tan concluded: “Given the common strengths of our businesses and our shared heritage of, and continued focus on, technology innovation, we are confident we can quickly realise the benefits of this complementary transaction for all stakeholders. Importantly, we believe that Qualcomm and Broadcom employees will benefit from substantial opportunities for growth and development as part of a larger company."
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