Onsemi in talks to buy chip startup Ferric for about $1 billion

[The Information] Semiconductor component maker Onsemi has been discussing an acquisition of 16-year-old chip startup Ferric for close to $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, a deal that reflects growing demand for technology that can manage the intense energy needs of AI chips. Onsemi's talks with Ferric follow a similar acquisition by rival Analog Devices, which in May agreed to pay $1.5 billion to buy Empower Semiconductor, a 12-year-old startup whose devices help AI chips manage electricity more efficiently. It isn't clear how the Onsemi deal is being structured; it could include payments to Ferric based on performance targets.