Commentary: Cadence-Mentor: facts vs. emotions

Bolaji Ojo, EE Times
(06/19/2008 1:17 AM EDT)

History will be the final judge of Michael J. Fister's decision to make a hostile bid for Mentor Graphics Inc.

Fister, president and CEO of Cadence Design Systems Inc., might not be able to close the deal considering the strong opposition from Mentor Graphics management and antitrust concerns.

Even if Cadence successfully completes the transaction, it might eventually be judged a mistake if integration proved problematic and if the company failed to secure the expected benefits.

Speculations about the future of the deal won't take away from Fister admiration for the share bravado of the proposed deal, which many speculated about but few thought would actually ever be initiated.

The proposed $1.6 billion acquisition of Mentor by Cadence has been heavily slammed in the press with some analysts and industry observers harshly condemning the transaction.

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