** Chip design software firm Synopsys' SNPS.O $35 bln cash-and-stock deal to buy simulation software company Ansys ANSS.O could possibly be delayed or blocked by China's State Administration for Market Regulation, Berenberg says
** Brokerage says it thinks SNPS could miss its stated target of closing the transaction in the first half of 2025
** SNPS and its rival Cadence Design Systems CDNS.O say they both received letters from U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security regarding new export curbs on sales to China
** In response, SNPS suspends its quarterly and annual forecasts as it evaluates potential effects of the restrictions
** Avg rating of 21 brokerages covering SNPS is "buy" and their median PT is $592.50, according to LSEG-compiled data
** As of last close, SNPS down ~6%, ANSS down ~3%, this year
(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru)
((Jaspreet.Singh@thomsonreuters.com ; https://twitter.com/i_jass))