Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Business

Nvidia to scrap $40bn takeover of chip firm Arm: report

US firm Nvidia is scrapping its $40 billion bid to buy UK mobile chip technology powerhouse Arm from SoftBank.

Nvidia is scrapping its bid to buy chip powerhouse Arm over pressure from regulators, according to a report
Nvidia is scrapping its bid to buy chip powerhouse Arm over pressure from regulators, according to a report - Copyright GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File Ethan Miller
Nvidia is scrapping its bid to buy chip powerhouse Arm over pressure from regulators, according to a report - Copyright GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File Ethan Miller

US firm Nvidia is scrapping its $40 billion bid to buy UK mobile chip technology powerhouse Arm from SoftBank after persistent objections from regulators, the Financial Times reported Tuesday.

Nvidia and SoftBank Group both declined to comment on the report, which cited three unnamed sources with direct knowledge of the deal.

But the collapse would be no surprise, after recent speculation that the deal was on the verge of failure following pressure from US, UK and EU regulators concerned it would undermine competition.

In December, US regulators filed a lawsuit seeking to block the merger, while British and European regulators had ordered probes into the deal.

Japan’s SoftBank Group announced in 2020 that it was selling Arm for up to $40 billion in a deal it hoped to complete in early 2022, subject to regulatory approvals.

The value of the cash-and-shares deal has risen since as stock markets have rallied, with Nvidia’s shares soaring.

The California-based firm is one of the world’s largest and most valuable computing companies, while Arm creates and licenses microprocessor designs and architectures.

Nvidia, known for graphics cards favoured in the video game industry, saw sales soar during Covid-19 lockdowns as gaming exploded in popularity.

When the merger plan was announced, Nvidia said it would accelerate innovation and “create the premier computing company for the age of artificial intelligence.”

Founded in 1990, Arm dominates the global smartphone market and its technology has been used in more than 180 billion chips shipped worldwide.

It is also present in cloud computing and the internet of things.

SoftBank had purchased Arm in 2016 for $32 billion, and now hopes to offload the firm through an initial public offering, the Financial Times reported.

SoftBank would prefer to list the company in New York but could face British pressure for a listing in London.

The deal’s collapse also prompted Arm’s chief executive to step aside, the FT said.

SoftBank is set to report its earnings in Tokyo later on Tuesday.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Business

New US tariffs against China come in force prompting Beijing to vow counter-measures. - © AFP STRTariffs are taking center stage as President Donald...

Tech & Science

Autonomous vehicles rely on photonics-powered LiDAR (light detection and ranging) systems. Is this technology essential for a 'smart city'?

News

“The strong man” is now making himself look very much like “the wrong man.”

World

Donald Trump's administration on Saturday put journalists at Voice of America and other US-funded broadcasters on leave.