Broadcom’s $61 Billion VMware Deal Faces In-Depth UK Probe

Broadcom Inc.’s proposed $61 billion takeover of cloud-computing company VMware Inc. is being probed by the UK’s antitrust agency and faces an in-depth investigation.

The Competition and Markets Authority said Wednesday it kicked off the first stage of its merger inquiry into the chipmaker’s purchase of the cloud computing firm.

The transaction marked the biggest-ever takeover for a semiconductor maker and extended an acquisition spree for Broadcom chief executive officer Hock Tan, who has built one of the largest and most diversified companies in the industry.

Broadcom’s acquisition is already under scrutiny from European regulators and faces an ...