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Further optical component M&A considered a matter of time

Mar. 29, 2015 7:39 PM ETFinisar Corporation (FNSR) StockAFOP, FNSR, VIAV, OCLR, AAOI, LITEBy: Eric Jhonsa, SA News Editor1 Comment
  • Optical component industry consolidation "was a common topic of discussion among investors and companies" at the industry's recent OFC conference, reports Piper's Troy Jensen. "The reasons for consolidation are well known and center on operational expense savings, a more rational pricing environment, and more complete product lines."
  • One deal that's viewed as especially likely: A Finisar (NASDAQ:FNSR) purchase of JDS Uniphase's (JDSU) optical component/laser unit (CCOP), currently set to be spun off as Lumentum Holdings in Q3. Activist Sandell Asset Management has been urging JDS to sell CCOP, which had FY14 (ended June '14) revenue of $794M (+7% Y/Y). Jefferies' James Kisner thinks a deal could happen, but not before the spinoff occurs.
  • Jensen on industry consolidation in general: "The question isn't really an if, but more of the urgency of potential sellers and buyers and also at what price a deal would take place. In general, our feeling is that investors were slightly more anxious for a deal, while companies we spoke with sensed the need for consolidation, but were less anxious."
  • The industry has already seen a decent amount of M&A. In addition to CCOP, smaller component vendors Oclaro (OCLR - $213M market cap), Alliance Fiber (AFOP - $308M market cap), Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI - $196M market cap), and NeoPhotonics (NPTN - $217M market cap) could be targeted. NeoPhotonics has soared since delivering a big Q4 beat (fueled by strong 100G component demand) on March 3.

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