BE Semiconductor shares surge on reported takeover interest

13th Mar 2026 09:59

(Sharecast News) - BE Semiconductor Industries surged on Friday following a report the Dutch chip equipment maker has been fielding takeover interest.

According to Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter, BESI has been working with investment bank Morgan Stanley ​to evaluate the approaches.

US chip-equipment maker Lam Research is reportedly among the suitors that have held discussions with ⁠the Dutch company. Other potentially interested parties include equipment manufacturer Applied Materials, ​which acquired a 9% stake in BESI in April last year and became its largest shareholder.

It was understood that the talks, which started in mid-2025, hit a pause earlier this year after rising tensions between the US and European Union over US President ​Donald Trump's attempts to control Greenland.

The acquisition of a Dutch firm with ​strategic technology would be subject to a national security review. However, bidders including Lam Research remain interested in BESI and ‌have ⁠held talks recently, a source told Reuters.

BESI declined to comment to Reuters on "market rumours", adding that it remained committed to executing on its strategy as an independent company. Morgan Stanley and Applied Materials declined to comment, while Lam Research did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At 0950 GMT, the shares were up 11.3% at €195.10.