Cirrus Logic and WolfsonMicroelectronics announced the terms of a recommended transaction under which Cirrus Logic wouldacquire Wolfson at a price of £2.35 per share in cash, implying an enterprise value of £278 million, or approximately $467 million. The transaction, if approved, is expected to strengthen Cirrus Logic’s ability to expand its customer base with highly differentiated, end-to-end audio solutions for portable audio applications. The transaction will be financed by a combination of existing cash on Cirrus Logic’s balance sheet and $225 million in debt funding.
“Wolfson has a rich history of audio innovation, a broad catalog of audio products and a first class customer list,” said Jason Rhode, Cirrus Logic President and Chief Executive Officer. “This acquisition strengthens Cirrus Logic’s core business as a leader in audio signal processing components, enhances our ability to differentiate our products with software, and adds new product categories such as MEMS microphones to our portfolio.”
“The Board of Wolfson believes that this is an attractive offer for Wolfson shareholders,” said Michael Ruettger, Chairman of the Board of Wolfson Microelectronics. “We believe this reflects the hard work that Mike Hickey and his team have put into building Wolfsonas a leader in the supply of high performance Audio Hubs and MEMS microphones to the consumer electronics market. Together with Cirrus Logic, we believe this will create a powerful platform for future growth, above and beyond our standalone potential.”
The acquisition is expected to be completed in the second half of 2014. Cirrus Logic expects the acquisition to be accretive to non-GAAP earnings per share in the first full quarter after the transaction closes (excluding the impact of one-time integration and acquisition related costs). The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and the approval of Wolfson shareholders.
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