Intel has entered into a pivotal agreement to transfer a majority stake in its Altera division to Silver Lake for a substantial sum of $4.46 billion. This move is part of Intel’s broader strategy to streamline its operations and enhance its financial health.
Altera is renowned for manufacturing “field programmable gate array” (FPGA) chips, which have diverse applications, including powering retro gaming hardware like Analog consoles. These versatile products also serve critical roles in sectors ranging from military to telecommunications.
Intel originally acquired Altera in 2015 for a hefty $16.7 billion, but the valuation of the division has significantly decreased, with its current worth being approximately half of the acquisition cost. Despite this depreciation, the transaction is vital for improving cash flow at a crucial juncture for Intel.
Under the terms of this agreement, Silver Lake will secure 51% of Altera, while Intel will retain a 49% stake. This arrangement allows Intel to continue benefiting from Altera’s future performance while enabling Altera to operate as an independent entity focused on advancing programmable logic technologies.
Altera’s growth strategy is set to focus on expanding its presence in burgeoning fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud platforms, edge systems, and next-generation wireless networks, while also doubling down on sales in established sectors like automotive, aerospace, and communications.
Meanwhile, Intel is redirecting its focus on its core competencies, which include CPUs, GPUs, supporting platforms, and chip manufacturing, by simplifying its operational complexity.
Intel’s new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, who took the helm in March following the exit of the company’s longtime leader Pat Gelsinger, is steering the company through this transformative period, aiming to reverse a series of past missteps.
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