Broadcom may be set to take another major step forward as it looks to expand behind semiconductors into the software business.

A report from Bloomberg has revealed that the company is in advanced talks to acquire antivirus firm Symantec according to people familiar with the potential deal.

The chipmaker could even reach an agreement to buy the California-based security company within weeks. However, no deal has yet been finalized and the talks could still fall through.

Neither Broadcom nor Symantec has commented on the news, but the report helped Symantec's shares rise by 22 percent in extended trading.

If the deal goes through, it would be the company's second big software acquisition following its $18bn takeover of CA Technologies last year.

That followed Broadcom's ambitious attempt to purchase rival chipmaker Qualcomm, following US President Donald Trump's decision to block the transaction over national security risks.

Symantec acquisition

According to its recent annual report, Symantec is the world's largest maker of cybersecurity software and it provides products and services to over 350,000 organizations and 50m people.

However, in the past year, the company has faced a number of challenges including increased competition, the sudden departure of its CEO and a financial investigation. Symantec's shares have increased by around 17 percent this year after a 33 percent decline in 2018.

Broadcom CEO Hock Tan recently said that he acquires “franchises” or groups of businesses within companies that have sustainable market positions through technology leadership. He invests in these companies to maintain their leadership and runs them as distinct parts of Broadcom instead of trying to integrate them with its existing offerings.

We've also highlighted the best antivirus software

Via Bloomberg