https://jp.reuters.com/article/western-digital-m-a-kioxia-idCAKBN2X608R

The merger talk has been rumored for several months.

Today, Japanese media outlets reported they're close to the agreement.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-deals/Western-Digital-Japan-s-Kioxia-in-talks-on-memory-chip-merger

However, maybe not alll stakeholders are convinced yet.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231014_07/

But whether South Korean chip maker SK hynix, which is a shareholder in Kioxia, will agree to the merger is uncertain.

Also, as the merged company may become the largest memory chip maker, whether the merger is approved or not by overseas regulators including Chinese one is not clear.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2023/10/13/kioxia-western-digital-merger/

The combined market share of Kioxia and Western Digital for NAND memories stood at 35.4% as of March, larger than the top maker, South Korea's Samsung Electronics, which accounted for 34.3%.

Still, it remains unclear if overseas regulators, including Chinese authorities, approve the merger, as semiconductors have been increasingly important in ensuring economic security across the globe.

This market resolves to YES if the merge is complete before close. Otherwise NO on close.

Chipmakers Kioxia and Western Digital set to agree on merger

The deal would create the world's leading producer of memory chips.