Activist support will help Semtech

Article Excerpt

SEMTECH CORP. $22 is a hold. The company (Nasdaq symbol SMTC; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 63.9 million; Market cap: $1.4 billion; No dividend paid; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.semtech.com) makes chips and electronic devices for a wide variety of uses, such as managing wireless data signals and TV broadcast transmissions. Semtech recently acquired wireless communications equipment Sierra Wireless Inc. for $1.2 billion. However, the stock is down 60% since it first announced the deal in August 2022. That drop is partly why Semtech agreed to appoint two nominees from activist firm Lion Point Capital to its 10-member board of directors. Lion Point owns 4% of Semtech, and its experience with other technology firms should help it integrate Sierra. However, big acquisitions like add significant risk. Semtech is a hold. hold…