Broadcom makes an unsolicited bid for Qualcomm in largest tech deal in history

Broadcom on Monday made an unsolicited offer to buy Qualcomm, in a bold bid to become a dominant supplier of communications chips to the wireless industry.

Qualcomm shares were halted for trading in premarket trade.

Qualcomm's stock, traded on the Nasdaq, surged by more than 12 percent on Friday amid speculation that Broadcom was preparing a bid. It finished the session at USD 61.81.

Broadcom has been working on its proposal for months and is believed to have approached Qualcomm privately about its offer, but was quickly rebuffed. The company had originally considered an attempt to buy Qualcomm prior to that company's deal to buy NXP more than one year ago, but upon getting no traction at that time, retreated.

This time, Broadcom is determined to bring its offer to the attention of Qualcomm shareholders. People familiar with the company's thinking indicate Broadcom will not shy away from initiating a proxy fight to gain seats on Qualcomm's board of directors in support of its offer.

Qualcomm's annual meeting is currently scheduled for March of next year with the deadline for nominating directors sometime in December.

Qualcomm, however, is expected to strongly resist Broadcom's proposal. People close to the company expect it to indicate the offer price is far below what it would expect in a takeover. In addition, Qualcomm is expected to raise concerns that any combination with Broadcom would raise significant antitrust concerns.

While Broadcom is expected to indicate its willingness to let Qualcomm complete its deal to acquire NXP, it is also expected to encourage the company not to raise its current USD 110 cash deal to acquire the company. Qualcomm is under pressure from NXP shareholders to raise its bid for that chip company, or face the likely prospect it will not be able to meet the minimum threshold needed to take control of the company under Dutch law.

Officials at Qualcomm and Broadcom declined to comment.