Sources from Reuters, according to two familiar sources, NXP Semiconductors NV (nxpi.o) close to a deal to acquire smaller peer Freescale semiconductor (Freescale) (fsl.n), involving a 40 billion cash and stock merger.
The deal could change the landscape of the semiconductor industry.


Such deals may be the clearest sign yet that semiconductor companies are regaining confidence in big m&a deals.
This comes as their main customers, such as handset makers, seek to consolidate their suppliers.

Freescale semiconductor has little presence in most areas of the mobile and consumer markets.
But by buying freescale, NXP could increase its share of the automotive and industrial markets and further diversify its business.

NXP is finalizing a deal to pay slightly more than freescale's current market value of $11 billion, sources said.
Including debt, the combined company would be worth about $40 billion.