NEC and Renesas to merge?
Two Japanese semiconductor giants are reportedly in the final stages of talks of merging their operations.
NEC Electronics and Renesas Technology's merger could result in the formation of third largest chipmaker in the world - behind Intel and Samsung Electronics - with a 30% share of microcontrollers.
Talks of consolidation come as the global recession has driven down the demand for chips. The merger is expected to take place in early 2010.
Although both companies have declined to make official announcements, NEC confirmed that talks of a merger had taken place, pending a final decision and that it would not rule out choosing an alternate partner.
