One of the pioneering companies of the semiconductor industry, Fairchild Semiconductor Corp, has filed for an IPO. The South Portland, Maine-based company, which was started in the late 1950s, produces analog, discrete logic and non-volatile memory semiconductors. The offering will be for a maximum of $350m and will be underwritten by Credit Suisse First Boston.
Semiconductor analyst at Dataquest, Scott D’Elia, suggests that Fairchild will have to time its flotation date to perfection. He says the company would be ill-advised to float now, with the semiconductor market still in a generally shaky position, and suggests Fairchild should delay until market demand improves, which he predicts will be some time in the next two years.
