Broadcom forms Chinese alliances; Avago seen eying more deals
- Broadcom (BRCM -0.1%) is partnering with Chinese networking hardware leader H3C (until recently an HP subsidiary) to "explore new market requirements and technical trends to optimize the interaction and performance of current and future platforms and architectures." H3C uses Broadcom's Ethernet ICs in its hardware.
- The company is also partnering with Chinese systems integrator Inspur on 4K/DOCSIS 3.0 set-top solutions relying on Broadcom's chips, and with Beijing-based pay-TV provider StarTimes to "jointly define and develop set-top box offerings in Africa," and "invest engineering resources to develop a series of low-cost set-top boxes and high-end Ultra HD home gateways."
- Broadcom has been taking set-top IC share from STMicroelectronics. On its Q1 CC (transcript), the company stated its set-top/broadband modem chip sales grew at a double-digit Y/Y clip.
- Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl that Avago (AVGO +0.3%), which is set to merge with Broadcom in a ~$37B cash/stock deal (follows deals for LSI, PLX, and Emulex), is up for further M&A. FBR's Chris Rolland: "They are looking for higher quality, accretive ideas that typically diversify their business. The target list is many."
- With all 4 of Avago's recent deals having a major data center component, Gartner's Sergis Mushell thinks the company could look to fill remaining holes in its data center line, such as power management and timing ICs. IDC believes analog/mixed-signal chipmakers with high gross margins could be in play - Texas Instruments appears to be looking in that direction.
- Prior Broadcom/Avago coverage
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