TECHNOLOGY - Jan. 6, 1999

* Cadence Design Systems Inc., the largest seller of advanced-design software for computer chips and electronics products, increased its buyout offer for Quickturn Design Systems Inc. to about $300 million in stock, to combat a hostile bid from Mentor Graphics Corp. Shareholders of San Jose-based Quickturn, which makes automation tools, would receive Cadence common stock valued at $15 a share for each Quickturn share, up from the earlier $14 offer. Cadence, also based in San Jose, said the merger will be impeded if Quickturn’s shareholders vote at a special meeting Friday to replace Quickturn’s current board with Mentor nominees. Last week, Quickturn lost an appeal to reinstate part of its “poison pill” defense intended to thwart Mentor’s unsolicited offer. Cadence shares fell 38 cents to close at $29.69 on the NYSE, and Quickturn rose 77 cents to close at $15.06 on Nasdaq. Wilsonville, Ore.-based Mentor fell 28 cents to close at $8.06, also on Nasdaq.