Years 2012 and 2013 showed a constant decline in shipments of PCs and can still be considered weak macroeconomic conditions. Fortunately, current semiconductor market performance is showing growth in 2014’s first half.
Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM) is considered a leading semiconductor provider today for both wireless and wired communications. It introduced a kit for its Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Device (WICED) series that give developers the ability to rapidly prototype their ideas and concepts that can be used on Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications and devices. IoT is basically still in its initial stages, but expanding fast and it is already considered the next big thing in today’s semiconductor industry. Broadcom aims at gaining a significant footprint and presence in today’s fast growing segment.
Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) on the other hand is currently facing the Chinese antitrust agencies wrath because of possible monopolistic practices in the country. It can also face European investigations in relation to complaints filed by Icera. The complaint was filed with the European Commission (EU) last June 2010 that accused Qualcomm did use patent-related incentives added with exclusionary pricing of their chip sets in order to discourage Icera customers. If ever proven guilty because of breach of EU rules, Qualcomm may be slapped with a fine of $2.5 billion.