“瞒天过海”收购半导体独角兽的高通，再遭反垄断调查

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing scrutiny and regulatory actions against major companies, particularly in the technology and internet sectors, due to monopolistic practices, with Qualcomm being a prominent example facing investigations and potential penalties for its acquisition of Autotalks [1][2]. Regulatory Actions - Qualcomm has been under investigation by China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) for failing to legally declare its acquisition of Autotalks, which is seen as a violation of China's Anti-Monopoly Law [1][6]. - The company has faced significant fines in the past, including a record fine of 60.88 billion yuan in 2015 from China's National Development and Reform Commission and an 873 million USD penalty from South Korea's Fair Trade Commission [2][3]. Financial Impact - Following the announcement of the investigation, Qualcomm's stock price dropped by 7.29%, marking its largest single-day decline since August [2]. - If found guilty of violating the Anti-Monopoly Law, Qualcomm could face fines up to 17.9 billion USD, which would represent approximately 70% of its revenue from the Chinese market [7]. Acquisition of Autotalks - Qualcomm's acquisition of Autotalks, a leading Israeli semiconductor company specializing in V2X technology, has drawn attention from regulators due to concerns over potential anti-competitive effects [3][4]. - The acquisition was completed despite ongoing investigations, raising questions about compliance with regulatory standards [6][8]. Market Position and Challenges - Qualcomm holds a dominant position in the mobile SoC market but faces challenges due to a slowdown in smartphone sales and the loss of Apple as a major customer [11][12]. - The company is attempting to diversify its revenue streams through automotive and IoT chip markets, which have shown growth, but these segments are not yet large enough to offset declines in mobile chip sales [11][12]. Strategic Considerations - The urgency for Qualcomm to integrate Autotalks' technology stems from the competitive landscape, where rapid technological advancements are crucial for maintaining market relevance [9][14]. - The company's historical reliance on patent monopolies and its current strategy to expand into automotive technology highlight the ongoing evolution of its business model in response to market pressures [15][16].