Samsung Electronics mulls takeover of healthcare affiliate

By Kang Yoon-seung

SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co., the world's top maker of smartphones, said Tuesday it is "considering" a merger with Samsung Medison Co., its healthcare affiliate.

Samsung, however, said in a regulatory filing that it has not yet made a final decision. Samsung Medison, a local medical device maker, became a Samsung Electronics affiliate in 2011.

In 2012, the tech firm had been asked about the same plan. It said then that such reports were not true.

Samsung Electronics has acquired 10 companies since last year at home and abroad, apparently in line with the firm's efforts to expand its business portfolio amid slowing business in the smartphone sector.

The company purchased stakes in firms in various sectors including healthcare, solid state drive software and video streaming, successfully clinching 21 merger and acquisition deals since 2007.

colin@yna.co.kr
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