We are offering Qualcomm stockholders $70.00 per share, consisting of $60.00 per share in cash and $10.00 per share in Broadcom shares. This represents a significant premium of 28% to the closing price of Qualcomm common stock on November 2, 2017, the last unaffected trading day prior to media speculation regarding a potential transaction, and a premium of 33% to Qualcomm's unaffected 30-day volume-weighted average price. Our proposal stands whether your pending acquisition of NXP is consummated on the currently disclosed terms of $110 per share or that transaction is terminated.
Our proposal will enable Qualcomm stockholders to achieve both immediate cash value and the ability to participate in the future success of the combined enterprise, which will benefit from greater scale and broader product diversification. The combination of our two companies and associated synergies will be accretive to Broadcom's earnings, which will directly benefit Qualcomm stockholders through their equity ownership in the combined company. We have significant experience with acquiring and integrating companies and an established track record of delivering financial results for our stockholders. I am confident that we can deliver similar results for our combined stockholders should we consummate this transaction.
Financing
The proposed transaction will not be subject to any financing condition. BofA Merrill Lynch, Citi, Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley have advised us in writing that they are highly confident that they will be able to arrange the necessary debt financing for the proposed transaction. Silver Lake Partners, which has served as a strategic partner to Broadcom in prior transactions, has provided Broadcom with a commitment letter for a $5 billion convertible debt financing in connection with the transaction. We also expect to maintain our investment grade credit rating following the proposed transaction. We and our advisors are available to review our financing plans with you at your convenience.
Regulatory Approvals
We and our advisors have conducted extensive analysis of the regulatory approvals that will be required in connection with the proposed transaction, and we are confident that the transaction will receive all necessary approvals in a timely manner. We would not make this offer if we were not confident that our common global customers would embrace the proposed combination, and we do not anticipate any material antitrust or other regulatory issues that would extend the normal timetable for closing a transaction of this nature.
Employees
We have a long history of providing outstanding opportunities for leadership and growth to employees, including business unit leaders, of companies we acquire. Employees who have joined our company as a result of acquisitions have become an integral part of our business, and we look forward to the opportunity to welcome Qualcomm's employees to Broadcom.
Conclusion
We believe that our proposal represents the most attractive, value-enhancing alternative available to Qualcomm stockholders, and that it is in the best interests of both parties to proceed as soon as possible to reach agreement on a transaction structure and terms. We are ready to devote all necessary resources to finalize all documentation on an expeditious basis. We and our advisors are prepared to engage in discussions immediately to work toward a mutually beneficial transaction.
We look forward to working with you to complete this transaction successfully and suggest that our respective financial and legal advisors and senior management team meet at your earliest convenience to work toward this goal.
This letter does not constitute a binding obligation or commitment of either company to proceed with any transaction. No such obligations will in any event be imposed on either party unless and until a mutually acceptable definitive agreement is formally entered into by both parties.
Sincerely,
/s/ Hock Tan
Hock Tan
President and Chief Executive Officer
Advisors
Moelis & Company LLC, Citi, Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan, BofA Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley are acting as financial advisors to Broadcom. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Latham & Watkins LLP are acting as legal counsel.
Additional Materials
An investor presentation and infographic regarding Broadcom's proposal will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is available on the Investor Relations page of Broadcom's website.
About Broadcom Limited
Broadcom Limited (NASDAQ: AVGO) is a leading designer, developer and global supplier of a broad range of digital and analog semiconductor connectivity solutions. Broadcom Limited's extensive product portfolio serves four primary end markets: wired infrastructure, wireless communications, enterprise storage and industrial & other. Applications for our products in these end markets include: data center networking, home connectivity, set-top box, broadband access, telecommunications equipment, smartphones and base stations, data center servers and storage, factory automation, power generation and alternative energy systems, and electronic displays.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended) concerning Broadcom and Qualcomm. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements that address Broadcom's expected future business and financial performance and statements about (i) proposed transaction involving Broadcom and Qualcomm and the expected benefits of the proposed transaction, (ii) the expected benefits of other acquisitions, (iii) Broadcom's plans, objectives and intentions with respect to future operations and products, (iv) Broadcom's competitive position and opportunities, (v) the impact of acquisitions on the market for Broadcom's products, and (vi) other statements identified by words such as "will", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "should", "intend", "plan", "potential", "predict", "project", "aim", and similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs of the management of Broadcom, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, such management, current market trends and market conditions and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside Broadcom's and management's control, and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on such statements.
Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include: the ultimate outcome of any possible transaction between Broadcom and Qualcomm, including the possibility that Qualcomm will reject the proposed transaction with Broadcom; uncertainties as to whether Qualcomm will cooperate with Broadcom regarding the proposed transaction; the effect of the announcement of the proposed transaction on the ability of Broadcom and Qualcomm to retain customers, to retain and hire key personnel and to maintain favorable relationships with suppliers or customers; the timing of the proposed transaction; the ability to obtain regulatory approvals and satisfy other closing conditions to the completion of the proposed transaction (including shareholder approvals); and other risks related to the completion of the proposed transaction and actions related thereto. Other risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could materially affect future results include: any risks associated with loss of Broadcom's significant customers and fluctuations in the timing and volume of significant customer demand; Broadcom's dependence on contract manufacturers and outsourced supply chain; any acquisitions Broadcom may make, as well as delays, challenges and expenses associated with receiving governmental and regulatory approvals and satisfying other closing conditions, and with integrating acquired companies with Broadcom's existing businesses and Broadcom's ability to achieve the benefits, growth prospects and synergies expected from such acquisitions, including Broadcom's pending acquisition of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. and Broadcom's proposed acquisition of Qualcomm; the ability of Broadcom to integrate Qualcomm's business and make changes to its business model, and to resolve legal proceedings, governmental investigations and customer disputes relating to Qualcomm's licensing practices; Broadcom's ability to accurately estimate customers' demand and adjust Broadcom's manufacturing and supply chain accordingly; Broadcom's significant indebtedness, including the substantial indebtedness Broadcom expects to incur in connection with Broadcom's proposed acquisition of Qualcomm, and the need to generate sufficient cash flows to service and repay such debt; dependence on and risks associated with distributors of Broadcom's products; Broadcom's ability to improve its manufacturing efficiency and quality; increased dependence on a small number of markets; quarterly and annual fluctuations in operating results; cyclicality in the semiconductor industry or in Broadcom's target markets; global economic conditions and concerns; Broadcom's competitive performance and ability to continue achieving design wins with its customers, as well as the timing of those design wins; rates of growth in Broadcom's target markets; prolonged disruptions of Broadcom's or its contract manufacturers' manufacturing facilities or other significant operations; Broadcom's dependence on outsourced service providers for certain key business services and their ability to execute to its requirements; Broadcom's ability to maintain or improve gross margin; Broadcom's ability to maintain tax concessions in certain jurisdictions; Broadcom's ability to protect its intellectual property and the unpredictability of any associated litigation expenses; any expenses or reputational damage associated with resolving customer product and warranty and indemnification claims; Broadcom's ability to sell to new types of customers and to keep pace with technological advances; market acceptance of the end products into which Broadcom's products are designed; and other events and trends on a national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive and regulatory nature.