Qualcomm’s profits are being pounded by regulatory fines, its legal rows with Apple, and changes in US tax law, but nevertheless, Broadcom is determined to acquire the US modem giant. It has raised its bid for Qualcomm to $82 a share – amounting to about $121bn, up from $105bn or $70 a share. The new price represents a premium of about 50% over Qualcomm’s stock price at the time when Broadcom mounted its unsolicited bid on November 2. Broadcom says this is its “best and final” offer and it would comprise $60 in cash and the rest in Broadcom shares. It has also insisted that the new bid relies on there being no increase in the price Qualcomm will pay…