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The Russian government is reportedly in talks to buy a stake in chip maker Infineon (IFNNY.PK).

According to Bloomberg, Leonic Melamed, the CEO of the Russian holding company AFK Sistema said at a new conference that the Russian government plans to buy a stake in Germany-based Infineon. He says Sistema won’t buy shares in the deal, but that it has been “invited to participate” as an industry expert.

Bloomberg notes that a Russian newspaper previously had reported that Sistema wanted to buy a 20% stake in the chip company for about 1 billion Euros.

ASM International (ASMI), which recently saw investments in its shares by Intel Capital (INTC) and Tokyo Electron, today was downgraded to Neutral from Buy by Goldman Sachs analyst Simon Schafer, although he raised his target on the stock to 12.50 Euros, from 11 Euros. (The stock closed yesterday at 10.80 Euros.) The downgrade is a valuation call, and follows a 57% rally in the stock since the stock was added to the Goldman Conviction Buy list on February 16.

In U.S. trading, ASMI today is down 94 cents, or 6.5%, to $13.44.

Intel (INTC) announced this afternoon that its Intel Capital arm has taken a 4% stake in semiconductor equipment provider ASM International (ASMI). The company acquired the stake in open market transactions. The company said the stake is part of Intel Capital’s strategy “to foster innovation that aligns with Intel’s manufacturing technology roadmap.”

Last week, Tokyo Electron took a 4.9% stake in the company.

In the regular session, ASMI rose 59 cents, or 5%, to $12.42.

Filed under: Analyst reports, Analyst upgrades and downgrades, Google (GOOG), DaimlerChrysler (DAI), Marriott Intl'A' (MAR), Analyst initiations, Lloyds TSB Group plc ADS (LYG), Suntech Power Hldgs ADS (STP), China Mobile Limited (CHL)

Analyst upgrades: