Isn't it nice to see a stock price shoot up by 30% on a dreary morning like this one?
That's how Advanced Micro Devices
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The new strategy splits off AMD's manufacturing plants into a new joint venture with two investment arms of the United Arab Emirates' government. Eleven months ago, the Mubadala Group injected $614 million into AMD's anemic coffers and took an 8% stake in the company. The Arab investors are picking up another 58 million freshly minted AMD shares for $314 million, growing their stake to 19%. At the same time, the Advanced Technology Investment Company of Abu Dhabi takes on $1.2 billion of AMD's long-term debt and contributes at least $3.6 billion to the new Foundry Company's bank accounts.
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Down and dirty
AMD CEO Dirk Meyer calls the agreement "a landmark day for AMD, creating a financially stronger company with a tightened focus." I think he's right. The company will still own about 45% of the manufacturing joint venture, but most of the financial burden of keeping it competitive falls on the Abu Dhabi investors.
A lighter balance sheet obviously makes tons of sense these days, and the new AMD should be able to compete fiercely with Intel once again. Management's options have been limited by financial constraints for years, and the company also had to decide whether it wanted to be a world-class chip manufacturing expert or a top-notch semiconductor designer. No more of that fence-sitting, boys.
So I think that the 12% stronger stock price is entirely justified, and just the start of a new chapter in AMD history. Don't forget that these shares were worth five times as much two short years ago, and there's lots of pessimism priced into them even after this quick upswing. AMD is not a safe harbor in stormy seas, and probably never will be. But I saw some exciting opportunities on the horizon even before this announcement, and the unexpectedly generous balance sheet makeover unlocks plenty of new doors.
Watch out, Intel. AMD is coming for you, and has never been leaner or meaner.
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