• Synopsys buys Ansys for $35B, a major tech move.
• Ansys shares jump 3% in premarket, showing positive market reaction.
• Strengthens Synopsys in chip design with Ansys’ vital simulation software.

Chip design software leader Synopsys (SNPS.O) announced on Tuesday its intention to acquire Ansys (ANSS.O) in a monumental $35 billion cash-and-stock agreement, solidifying its presence in the tech sector. The deal, the largest in the technology industry since Broadcom’s (AVGO.O) $69 billion acquisition of VMware in November, signifies a pivotal moment as economic sentiment improves and antitrust regulatory challenges prove unsuccessful in deterring major acquisitions.

Ansys shares experienced a 3% surge in premarket trading, reflecting the market’s positive response to the strategic move. The deal places a per-share value of $390.19, indicating a substantial 29% premium over Ansys’ closing price on December 21, 2023.

The acquisition comes after Synopsys co-founder and Executive Chairman Aart de Geus handed over the CEO role to Chief Operating Officer Sassine Ghazi just two weeks ago. The timing of such a significant acquisition amid a leadership transition underscores the strategic importance and commercial allure of Ansys’ simulation software.

Ansys specializes in simulation software widely used by engineers, designers, and researchers across diverse industries such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and energy for product analysis. The software competes with industry players like Autodesk’s (ADSK.O) Fusion 360 and AutoCAD, as well as Dassault Systemes’ (DAST.PA) Solidworks.

Synopsys, known for providing software to major chipmakers like Intel (INTC.O), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.O), and Nvidia (NVDA.O), focuses on chip design across various sectors. Both Synopsys and Ansys have experienced significant share price increases over the past year, fueled by the ongoing boom in artificial intelligence.

The collaboration between Synopsys and Ansys began in 2017, aiming to provide comprehensive solutions to chip designers, enhancing the analysis of chips for quality standards and streamlining the overall design process. The $35 billion deal represents a landmark move in the evolving landscape of technology mergers and acquisitions, potentially paving the way for further transformative transactions in the sector.

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