SAN JOSE -- Is
Cadence in talks about a possible sale? That idea was posited by
The New York Times yesterday.
The Times reported Cadence, the second-largest supplier of PCB software, has had discussions with at least two notable buyout firms, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and the Blackstone Group.
Cadence's market cap is about $6.4 billion, making the EDA firm an expensive acquisition. Yet private equity firms have been snapping up companies during the past 24 months, and with no slowdown in sight.
The Times said a deal may not happen because of perceived volatility and capital risks. However, software tends to be a better bet than equipment, which has lower margins and higher development costs.