By George Glover

Intel could be split up, with two of the chip maker's biggest rivals eyeing separate parts of its business.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Broadcom are weighing up potential deals, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter. The two companies aren't working together and the talks are informal at an early stage, according to the report.

TSMC's Taipei-listed shares climbed 2.4% Monday. U.S. stock and bond markets were closed for Presidents Day.

The chip makers wouldn't be trying to outbid each other -- they're looking at different parts of Intel.

TSMC is considering taking control of Intel's manufacturing business. The Trump administration is encouraging the Taiwan-based company to do the deal because it would give it more of the presence in the U.S. and reduce the risk of mainland China disrupting the global chip trade, according to a separate report by the New York Times that cited people familiar with the matter.

Broadcom is interested in Intel's chip design and marketing business but would likely only make a bid if it can find another party interested in the company's manufacturing division, per the Journal.

Intel, TSMC and Broadcom didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Barron's.

Write to George Glover at george.glover@dowjones.com

This content was created by Barron's, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. Barron's is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

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February 17, 2025 06:19 ET (11:19 GMT)

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