Applied Materials lifts bid for Kokusai to US$3.5b

[WASHINGTON] Applied Materials, one of the largest makers of machines used to manufacture semiconductors, said it raised its offer for KKR owned Kokusai Electric by 59 per cent, citing higher valuations in a growing industry. It also extended the closing deadline by almost three months.

The US company will pay KKR $3.5 billion, up from the originally agreed $2.2 billion, for Kokusai, Applied said in a filing. The two parties have agreed to a new closing date of Mar 19 to allow for regulatory approval from China, the final remaining jurisdiction where sign-off is needed.

Applied said the large increase reflects improving demand for chipmaking gear and the earnings prospects for the combined entity, part of a growing trend that's pushed up the valuations of industry companies. It's making progress toward getting the green light from China's State Administration for Market Regulation.

The US firm "believes that the acquisition will provide substantial value for Applied's shareholders," according to the filing. "Over the past 18 months, Applied has observed a more favorable long-term outlook for the overall semiconductor equipment market, including positive trends in the memory segment." Chip-related share prices have surged on optimism that the electronic components are becoming more important, not only in traditional markets such as computers and smartphones, but also in new areas such as self-driving cars. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index surged 51 per cent in 2020, adding to a gain of 60 per cent in 2019. Shares of Applied Materials rose 41 per cent last year.

Applied's ability to get approval from China will be watched closely by investors. Semiconductors have become a key area of contention in the trade war between China and the US under the administration of President Donald Trump. The US is the world's biggest producer of chips and the Asian country is the biggest market.

California-based Applied Materials dominates the market for equipment involved in the early stages of turning silicon wafers into computer chips. Its main customers are Samsung Electronics, Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Applied Materials went on a sales-growth spurt under chief executive officer Gary Dickerson as chipmakers ordered more machinery to help solve the increasing complexity of semiconductors.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

Investment firm KKR bought the Japanese equipment manufacturer, a former Hitachi unit, in 2017. Before the deal closed, KKR made a bid that valued Kokusai Electric at US$3 billion, although it's not clear how much KKR ultimately paid.

BLOOMBERG