I'm saying there is a spread for a reason

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35555588)

Blocked Seagate/Samsung in 2011

Western Digital / Hitachi in 2012

Blocked a shipping co merger in 2014

You could make the same argument for CFIUS - its doing unprecedented shit with Broadcom / Qualcomm

The other reason there is a spread is if Broadcom wins the proxy fight for QCOM then steps away from NXPI bid

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35555776)

In theory mofcom could block, but after like 12 other regulatory agencies approved it, the chances are pretty remote.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35555891)

Even if China plays hardball I don't see them fighting a trade war via mofcom. Arbs are literal faggots always and forever.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35660984)

If deal goes through (it almost certainly will): you make 10% in <1 month

If deal gets blocked by China (it almost certainly won't): stock trades down initially and then rips higher when the big boys snap it up from the faggot arbs

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35760885)

Needs CFIUS and Mofcom vs. just Mofcom

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35760936)

Qualcomm literally does 2/3rds of its revs in China and is considered a model corporate citizen there. Sure their management team is full of dumb stubborn faggots but ultimately they will do whatever China asks to get this deal done. Because they have to.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35815353)

1) Qualcomm does so much business in China and has to remain in their good graces

2) Qualcomm is a dead dog without NXPI and they know it (despite being dumb stupid stubborn faggots)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35815422)

Qualcomm shareholders are fed up with management because they have no grand strategy moving forward. The NXPI acquisition is massively accretive and immediately so. Without NXPI, Qualcomm is only mobile phones and lawsuits - their "backup plan" is a stock buyback. Shareholders want this deal done so they can actually have a viable business going forward.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35815616)

Still a great trade though!

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35815156)

Put it this way: if the market is pricing in a 10% chance of a deal getting done, and you think there's a 90% chance of the deal getting done, is that a gamble you'd want to take?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35815628)

But you can look at history, other worldwide approvals, and just plain logic to see that there is an overwhelming probability China approves this. Not only that, even if the deal did break, it's very likely the stock would trade higher from here after an initial shakeout. The only reason it's as low as it is is that arbs took way too much risk in this name and are feeling the pain. It's a market structure issue.

Another way of putting this is the efficient market theory is horseshit.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35815694)

The deal's still getting done and the stock is still a screaming buy here.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35832801)

It is now sub 113, for an 11% spread. You've lost 8% in a risk free trade that would have gotten you 3% in gains

Now obviously the calculus for new money is different at $113. You're looking at a risk free oafish spread of 11%. That seems interesting as the downside from here seems limited for NXPI on a standalone basis as at $113 it trades at sub 14x P/E

I'm not a merger arb guy but my friends in the space tell me it is all about entry combined with risk/reward. A 3% reward wasn't sufficient, even with signficant leverage boosting returns

Imagine being 10:1 levered trying to squeeze out a 30% return on that 3% spread. The move down would have blown you up. At 10:1 leverage on that 11% spread would get you a 110% return - that sounds a lot sexier

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35851000)

Picking up pennies in front of a steamroller IMO but I guess its a living

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35859433)

Thinking about putting a substantial amount down on this tomorrow morning. Putting aside the buyout (which would be a quick ~20% gain), I like this stock. So even if it fell through, it’s not the end of the world.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35878356)

If buyout goes through looks like it will be about 20% gain by July.

If not, I like th stock anyways. And they will be owed 2b I believe.

Seems like a calculated, sensible risk here.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35881173)

UNLESS OF COURSE the company as a stand alone is a high quality asset worth owning

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35881378)

But if you have any kind of balance sheet here, this is a great spot to buy the stock. Because it is, in fact, a great stand-alone asset.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35881585)

There is still a fucking absurd spread in this that is totally unjustified by the fundamentals

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#35923849)

Mofcom just approved their second deal this week. They're speeding things along again. There's still a lot of money left in this oafish spread!

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#36067746)

OP made an ok swing on top of a pretty big risk, meh

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#36402699)

Qualcomm will terminate deal to buy NXP at end of day

Qualcomm is planning to move forward with share buybacks instead of buying NXP.

Qualcomm isn't counting on Chinese regulators to rule in favor of its NXP deal.

Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf will address his company's share buyback plans during today's conference call.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#36495185)

Author: DrakeMallard (Daring Duck of Mystery, Champion of Right)

Wait until Mofcom blocks the deal

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#36495200)

That's a 25% loss in 4.5 months. Friends don't let friends do merger arbitrage

For what it's worth, I just nibbled on it at $92.50

I think they do $8 of EPS in 2019. 15x that is a $120 stock.

Downside they'll do $7 and get 12x so $84

30% upside / 10% downside for a 3:1 risk/reward

Clear catalysts upcoming: $5B in buybacks funded in part by the QCOM breakup fee + an analyst day. Activist investors could also come in given management has been on the beach for the past 2 years

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#36502603)

what else you got? i want more -8% ideas.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#36914106)

edit: actually more like 4x

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3912314&forum_id=2#37372526)