Semiconductor grab: Silicon Valley chip companies making tasty acquisitions

As chipmakers pursue an acquisition binge, the recent deal wrangling is generating excitement from investors. (Dreamstime/TNS)

SAN JOSE, California: Winter may be on the way, but Silicon Valley chipmakers are having their moment in the sun. 

Semiconductors are the brains, heart and guts of just about every electronic gadget you own, and the companies that make them are famous for roller-coaster highs and lows as they seek to stay relevant in a fast-changing market. But as chipmakers pursue an acquisition binge, the recent deal wrangling is generating excitement from investors. After all, it was silicon chipmakers that gave Silicon Valley its name.