LONDON â€" The Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML agreed on Wednesday to buy Cymer, which manufactures components for microchips, for 1.95 billion euros ($2.6 billion).
The cash-and-stock deal is an attempt by ASML, which provides components to companies like Intel and Samsung, to develop new microchip technology, according to a company statement.
Under the terms of the deal, shareholders in Cymer, based in San Diego, will receive $20 and 1.15 ASML shares for each Cymer share. The offer represents around a 71 percent premium to Cymer's closing share price on Tuesday.
In morning trading in Amsterdam, shares of ASML had fallen 2.8 percent.
‘‘We believe that this transaction will improve our capabilities to bring new technologies to our customers,'' ASML's chief executive, Eric Meurice, said in a statement.
The Dutch company said it would continue to operate Cymer as a stand-alone division in the United States.
Analysts cautioned that the deal, which is expected to close in the first half of next year, could add extra complexity to ASML's operations and slow down the company's pipeline of new semiconductor equipment.
Earlier this year, ASML announced agreements with a number of its customers to sell a combined 23 percent stake in the Dutch company. Cash provided by the clients, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, has been set aside to accelerate the development of next generation microchip technology.
