Technology
Analysts Wrangle Over Intel-Altera Merger Benefits and Value Proposition
June 2, 2015 12:15 pm
Last Updated: June 2, 2015 12:15 pm
Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) may have a game changer on its hands with the acquisition of Altera Corp. (NASDAQ: ALTR) now finalized. The $54 per share offer is for $16.7 billion and represents a little more than 10% of Intel’s $158 billion market cap. Many firms on Wall Street have seen their analysts reiterate their Buy ratings on Intel. Still, the deal is not being universally endorsed.Source: courtesy of Intel Corp.
BMO Capital Markets downgraded Intel to Market Perform from Outperform based on a lack of deal vision. BMO further said that it was cutting the price target all the way to $33 from $40 based on the deal. BMO simply struggles with how it will add value for Intel shareholders long term. Based on trends of Altera before the deal, the firm just does not believe Intel’s post-merger growth assumptions.
24/7 Wall St. tracked several other analyst calls Tuesday morning (some of which are outlined in more detail below):
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On Intel, Canaccord Genuity said that it was maintaining its Buy rating and keeping its $39 price target. The note introduction from analyst Matthew Ramsay said:
While the price tag appears steep, the acquisition does not change our overall bullish long-term fundamental thesis as we begin meetings with Intel management and PC supply chain participants at Computex in Taiwan today that should shed light on whether Windows 10 and new Skylake product launches can drive the more robust 2H/15 PC implied by Intel’s full-year guidance.
We maintain our bullish view on Intel fundamentals highlighted by sustained foundry advantages and strong secular momentum supporting 15%+ DCG and ~20% IoTG growth potential. While Mobile losses remain heavy, we believe Intel’s modem/SoC technology is gradually closing the gap in a quickly thinning herd of competitors with the business nearing transitions to SoFIA that should eliminate the need for costly subsidies beginning 2H/15 with underappreciated cost synergy potential in the combined Mobile/PC business.
Credit Suisse was also positive. Analyst John Pitzer maintained his Buy rating $40 price target. His note said:
The transaction is valued at $16.7 bb (EV of $15.5 bb) or ~28 times 2016 EV/EBITDA a ~108% premium to its peer group. INTC expects the transaction to be financed with cash/debt, to close in 6-9 months, and to be accretive in the 1st year after close – 60% of the synergies to come from Rev and 40% from OpEx. Our analysis suggests $0.06-$0.10 accretion.
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