From X-bit Labs: Advanced Micro Devices, the world’s second largest maker of x86 microprocessors and one of a few developers of semiconductors with its own leading-edge manufacturing facilities, is projected to reveal details of its “asset smart” strategy already this month. An analyst believes that the plan would include spinning off the manufacturing facilities of AMD and an investment from a middle-East group into a new company. The best kept and the most discussed secret of Advanced Micro Devices in the recent couple of years is AMD’s so-called “asset smart” strategy. The company has been telling analysts and investors that the strategy will be deployed in future, but did not reveal any details about the initiative. However, it is widely believed that the core of the strategy is spinning off the manufacturing fabs – Fab 36 and Fab 38 – into a separate company, which would reduce AMD’s capital expenditures on advanced equipment and development of fabrication processes. John Lau, an analyst with Jefferies & Co., reportedly wrote in an investment note that his checks with “computer industry sources indicate that AMD could announce its reorganization plan in two weeks”, reports Austin American Statesman. According to Mr. Lau, the factories in Dresden, Germany “may be spun off into a separate company”, which will make chips for AMD as well as third-parties. According to the analyst, “a Middle East investment group may acquire a large position in the new foundry and fund its purchase with cash”, although, no actual details were given, it should be kept in mind that United Arab Emirates-based Mubadala Investment acquired 8.1% stake in AMD. View: Article @ Source Site |