Broadcom to buy VMware for $86 billion in big tech tie-up

Computer chip and software maker Broadcom will spend about $US61 billion ($86.1b) to acquire the cloud technology company VMware, one of the biggest deals of the year despite rising inflation and economic uncertainty.

The proposed deal comes just weeks after billionaire and Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk offered to spend $US44 billion on Twitter. Dell Technologies spun off its controlling stake in VMware only about 6 months ago.

Broadcom wants to establish a stronger foothold in the cloud computing market and VMware’s technology allows large corporations to blend public cloud access with internal company networks.

The Broadcom Software Group will rebrand and operate as VMware once the transaction closes. The cash-and-stock deal also includes $US8 billion of VMware net debt.

Under the proposed offer, VMware shareholders can choose to receive either $US142.50 in cash or 0.2520 shares of Broadcom common stock for each VMware share.

Michael Dell is still VMware’s chairman and he owns 40.2 per cent of the company’s outstanding shares. Dell Technologies completed the spin-off of its 81 per cent equity ownership of VMware in November.

Dell and Silver Lake, which owns 10 per cent of VMware’s outstanding stock, have signed support agreements to vote in favour of the transaction, as long as VMware’s board continues to recommend the proposed deal.

The transaction includes a “go-shop” provision, so VMware is allowed to actively solicit, receive, evaluate and potentially enter negotiations with parties that offer alternative proposals during a 40-day period.

To help finance the transaction, Broadcom has obtained commitments from a consortium of banks for $US32 billion in new, fully committed debt financing.

It’s anticipated that current Broadcom shareholders will own approximately 88 per cent and current VMware shareholders will own about 12 per cent of the combined company.