Final thoughts
Of course, the likely reason that Intel is snapping up McAfee is a combination of most of the factors discussed, and we certainly wouldn't discount the idea of clearing cash off the bottom of a spreadsheet.
What's interesting, though, is that it chose to spend on such a big software company, which is what's taken the market particularly by surprise.
The reaction from investors hasn't been universally upbeat by any measure, and you suspect that Intel's shareholders will be pressing for a lot more information than has been released thus far.
But it's still a fascinating and potentially game-changing move. And if it works, expect the asking price of an assortment of other security software specialists to start heading northwards
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