National Semiconductor

The Clock on the Wall Says It May Be Time for More Analog Deals

Arik Hesseldahl in Enterprise on April 4, 2011 at 5:34 pm PT

Today’s surprising combination of Texas Instruments and National Semiconductor has market watchers going crazy for analog chips in hopes of catching the next deal. Shares of other analog chip makers rose as much as 8 percent after hours.

Texas Instruments to Acquire National Semiconductor for $6.5 Billion

Arik Hesseldahl in Enterprise on April 4, 2011 at 1:17 pm PT

Two of the oldest names in the chip business are about to combine. About as long as I’ve known about electronics, I’ve known of the names Texas Instruments and National Semiconductor. Today, TI announced it will acquire National for $6.5 billion, representing a 77 percent premium over the $3.4 billion market cap it had as of the close of today’s regular trading.

Voices

A Chip Veteran Passes the Baton to His Deputy

Don Clark, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal in News on October 12, 2009 at 5:00 am PT

After a 13-year run–marked by some dead ends–Brian Halla thinks he finally established a winning formula at National Semiconductor. So he’s stepping down. Halla, 63, said Friday he will give up the CEO title at the chip maker on Nov. 30 to Donald Macleod, a 61-year-old Scot who has been at National since 1978 and was serving as president and chief operating officer.

National Semi to Workforce: "What Color is Your Parachute?"

John Paczkowski in News on March 11, 2009 at 7:53 am PT

To see just how badly the continuing erosion of consumer confidence is affecting the chip industry, one need only look at the pitiable state of National Semiconductor. After announcing third-quarter revenues that were down 31 percent from the previous quarter and 36 percent from the same period a year earlier, the company said today it would sack more than a quarter of its workforce.

National Semi to Workforce: “What Color is Your Parachute?”

John Paczkowski in News on March 11, 2009 at 7:53 am PT

To see just how badly the continuing erosion of consumer confidence is affecting the chip industry, one need only look at the pitiable state of National Semiconductor. After announcing third-quarter revenues that were down 31 percent from the previous quarter and 36 percent from the same period a year earlier, the company said today it would sack more than a quarter of its workforce.

Voices

Coming to the Valley: A Four-Day Work Week?

Eric Savitz, Blogger and Columnist, Barron's, Tech Trader Daily in News on December 18, 2008 at 9:05 am PT

Global Equities’ Trip Chowdhry thinks so. His theory is that companies trying to hold onto talent while waiting out the recession will do so by shifting to a four-day week. Workers’ salaries would be reduced by 20 percent, but so would their commuting time. Totally worth it, right? Here’s the kicker, though: Chowdhry also contends that widespread 20 percent salary cuts means real estate prices in the Bay Area will be forced down from “artificially inflated prices.” Where do I sign up?

Fairchild's Year Without a Santa Claus

John Paczkowski in News on December 12, 2008 at 10:21 am PT

If life is a cement trampoline, then Fairchild Semiconductor just performed a flat back landing. It’s hand forced by those oft-cited “market conditions,” the company said Friday it is sacking 12 percent of its workforce in an attempt to reduce expenses and spread holiday cheer.

Fairchild’s Year Without a Santa Claus

John Paczkowski in News on December 12, 2008 at 10:21 am PT

If life is a cement trampoline, then Fairchild Semiconductor just performed a flat back landing. It’s hand forced by those oft-cited “market conditions,” the company said Friday it is sacking 12 percent of its workforce in an attempt to reduce expenses and spread holiday cheer.

Tech Sector to Release 180,000 Workers Into Wild: The Challenger Release in Its Entirety

John Paczkowski in News on November 14, 2008 at 1:29 pm PT

Stupefying. The year-end total for tech sector job losses in 2008 is expected to reach 180,000, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. That’s the largest annual job loss for the sector since 2003, when tech firms sacked some 228,325 employees.