Lam Research Buys novellus Systems to Consolidate Industry. What are the motives for the deal? Discuss the logic underlying each motive you identify. How are Lam and Novellus similar and how are they different? In what way will their similarities and differences help or hurt the long-term success of the merger? Speculate as to why Lam announced a $1.6 billion share repurchase program at the same time it announced the deal? Do you believe this transaction would help or hurt competition among semiconductor-equipment manufacturers?