Market Leadership Drives M&A Among Chip Makers

摘要

In 2016, the semiconductor industry was swept by big-deal acquisitions whose transaction value surpassed that of 2015. Amid slowdown in the growth rates of personal computers and smartphones, which have driven the demand for semiconductor devices, chip manufacturers are making active investments, targeting growth in new markets, such as automobiles and Internet of Things (IoT). Some manufacturers have acquired venture companies that possess leading-edge technologies relating to artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning. More recently, competitions to acquire technologies toward future growth have begun.