Applied Materials Offers $4.9 Billion For Varian Semiconductor

Applied Materials Inc. (Nasdaq: AMAT) will pay a premium of approximately $4.9 billion in cash to acquire Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates Inc. (Nasdaq: VSEA). Shares of Applied Material slipped 21 cents to $15.03 while Varian stock leaped $20.75 to $61.30.