A potential deal to buy Intel could accelerate Qualcomm's diversification but will burden the smartphone chipmaker with a loss-making semiconductor manufacturing unit that it may struggle to turn around or sell,

One analyst notes that Intel’s situation doesn’t seem dire enough for the company to settle for a “fire sale.” Plus, Qualcomm could see Intel’s foundry assets as a headache.

Chipmaker Qualcomm is trying to buy rival Intel, according to multiple reports. The Wall Street Journal broke the news late Friday that Qualcomm had