Como se combate o populismo? "Com eleições", responde Fukuyama

[rnbc]

Isso faz algum sentido até porque sistematicamente é a ATI que lança os melhores chipsets para AMD e geralmente antes da concorrência. A relação entre as duas companhias tem sido simbiótica nos últimos anos.

No entanto não sei se haverá possibilidade de reduzir custos proximamente (por via das ditas sinergias) e a compra vai gerar um buraco financeiro na AMD.

Quanto a mim faria muito mais sentido uma troca de participações e depois um merger.

Por outro lado a acontecer isso força basicamente a Intel a fazer uma de duas coisas: por no mercado GPUs decentes (finalmente) ou comprar a Nvidia.

Também convém notar que a ATI, ao contrário da Nvidia, opera com prejuizos sistemáticos. Não sei se a AMD tem alguma solução mágica para isso... mas provavelmente deve achar que tem, ou não se metia nessa aventura.

PS: Tenho uma proporção significativa da carteira em AMD.

[Ertai]

O fecho de hoje na Ati Tech. (ATYT) a subir 9% certamente que já incorporou parte dos rumores.

Mesmo agora depois do fecho mais notícias parecem confirmar o rumo que as duas empresas poderão se fundir.

Não deixa de ser rumores a confirmar rumores mas caso seja verdade seria um novo abalo para a Intel e também de certa forma para a Nvidia.

Aqui ficam:

http://www.forbes.com/2006/05/31/amd-ati-technologies-0531markets10.html?partner=yahootix
AMD to Buy ATI? [05:32 pm]
In a move that would have huge implications in the PC gaming world, semiconductor manufacturer AMD may be preparing to buy graphics card provider ATI. A report issued by Apjit Walia of the Royal Bank of Canada's Capital Markets group notes AMD's plans for expansion as well as the attractive position ATI holds as a potential buy. Walia would consdier such a move beneficial for the graphics industry as a whole.

"The synergies of this seem consistent with the recent announcements by AMD to significantly increase capacity over the next few-years," wrote analyst Apjit Walia in a note to investors Wednesday. "We believe ATI is a rare-buy in the semiconductor space right now given the near-term tie-up dynamics."
...
It has long been discussed that the graphics-companies are likely to be bought by one of the microprocessor companies, according to Walia. However, for AMD-rival Intel (nasdaq: INTC - news - people ), a partnership with a graphics company may not be the best idea.

Meanwhile, Intel isn't doing quite so hot. Earlier this month, it was revealed that computer maker Dell, which has long used Intel chips exclusively in its machines, will start using AMD products as well. This comes not long after Dell's purchase of smaller manufacturer Alienware, which also uses AMD and Intel chips. Intel's recent price cuts, according to Walia, have given the company a boost in market share but have been detrimental to its bottom line. An AMD/ATI merger would make things tougher for Intel in the personal computing space, on which Walia believes Intel has been putting too much emphasis. Rather, the company should focus more on expanding to other markets, he says, given the continuing messy battle with AMD in the core PC market.



ATI Tech Investors Enjoy Ride on Rumor Mill
http://www.thestreet.com/_nasdaq/tech/semis/10289032.html?&cm_ven=NASDAQ&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA
A rumored marriage between chipmakers AMD (AMD:NYSE - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) and ATI Technologies (ATYT:NYSE - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) may be little more than idle speculation.

A sell-side analyst pronounced the merger "likely" in a research report on Wednesday, giving a big boost to ATI's shares. But other analysts familiar with the graphics chip market say investors are making much ado about nothing.

"Forget it," says Jon Peddie, founder and analyst of Jon Peddie Research, an industry consulting firm. The report "is such a waste of time."

Apjit Walia, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets, based his merger projections on channel checks in the "PC food" chain. Speculation about a merger between one of the graphics-chips makers such as ATI and one of the microprocessor manufacturers such as AMD has a long history, acknowledged Walia, whose firm has not done any recent investment-banking business for ATI or AMD. But Walia's research indicates that this merger is actually going to happen, he wrote.

However, the analyst gave no details in his report about what he'd heard or who he'd heard the rumor from. Instead he simply argued that a deal would "make sense."

"The synergies of this seem consistent with the recent announcements by AMD to significantly increase capacity over the next few years," Walia said in the note.

But a deal between the two companies could take many forms other than a merger, including a partnership or a joint venture, Walia said in an interview. Whether a "tie-up" between the two companies makes sense or not, Walia said he's just reporting what he has heard.

"The proof's in the pudding," he said. "Let's let time pass and see how it works out."

The report was enough for investors. Shares of ATI closed up $1.36, or 9%, to $16.51. Earlier in the day, they traded up as much as 10.3%. Shares of AMD closed up 41 cents, or 1.4%, to $30.98.

ATI spokesman David Erskine dubbed the report about a possible merger a rumor and said the company doesn't comment on rumors. An AMD representative did not return a call seeking comment.