The chip industry’s merger frenzy elevated Wednesday with two multibillion-dollar deals, one of which might result in a new chip-gear industry leader. Lam Research (LRCX) announced an agreement to buy KLA-Tencor (KLAC), and the combination might overtake Applied Materials (AMAT) in semiconductor equipment market share, says at least one analyst. The $10.6 billion merger was announced three hours before Western Digital (WDC) said
KLA-Tencor (KLAC) early Wednesday revised downward its fiscal Q2 earnings estimate based on its leveraged recapitalization transaction. The chip equipment supplier said earnings per share excluding items will be 37 to 61 cents, down from 46 to 70 cents in its previous estimate provided when fiscal Q1 (ended Sept. 30) earnings were announced on Oct. 23. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters forecast EPS ex items of 55 cents. Revenue and bookings
KLA-Tencor (KLAC) early Wednesday revised downward its fiscal Q2 earnings estimate based on its leveraged recapitalization transaction, and its stock plunged. KLA-Tencor was down 20% near 67 in afternoon trading in the stock market today. The chip equipment supplier said earnings per share excluding items will be 37 to 61 cents, down from 46 to 70 cents in its previous estimate provided when fiscal Q1 (ended Sept. 30) earnings were announced on