[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electronics’ takeover of US automotive electronics firm Harman International Industries has emerged as the biggest merger and acquisition deal this year, the bourse operator said on June 26.

The Korean tech giant said in March that it had completed the US$8 billion acquisition of Harman, the world’s leading maker of in-car entertainment systems and car audio equipment. The US company also ranks second in the global telematics market.

The Korea Exchange said Samsung’s buyout of Harman marked this year’s largest stock acquisition among listed companies on Korea‘s main stock market as of June 19.

By Alex Lee and newswires (alexlee@heraldcorp.com)