horizontal – Antitrust Intelligence

Is Worldline-Ingenico the Last FinTech Deal To Get An Easy Pass?

September 19, 2020September 19, 2020Editorial

Worldline nears closing a deal to acquire rival Ingenico as the remedies submitted during a phase I merger investigation are likely to be accepted by EU regulators. Yet, this deal, together with the recent Mastercard-Nets, suggest that the days when a FinTech deal was barely scrutinized by regulators and quickly approved may be gone. More consolidation in the market is expected as companies seek to offer omnichannel payment solutions but from now on, antitrust approvals may cost dearly.

LSE Likely Needs More Divestitures To Close Refinitiv Deal

September 2, 2020September 2, 2020Editorial

LSE is accepting bids for Borsa Italiana or for its bond trading platform, MTS, in an attempt to ease the EU merger review. While this divestiture is likely to bring the approval closer, it may still fall short to allay additional concerns on the market for derivatives and access to financial data.

Thyssenkrupp-Kone’s Elevator Tieup May Stay in Ground Floor

May 24, 2019May 24, 2019Editorial

(Premium)- After a failed JV with Tata, Thyssenkrupp is now trying to sell its elevator unit to Kone. Yet, this deal would likely face significant antitrust scrutiny in Europe and an approval may come at a very high price for both companies.

Thyssenkrupp-Tata Likely Needs to Beef Up Remedy Plan to Get EU Approval

May 3, 2019May 12, 2019Editorial

(Premium) – Thyssenkrupp and Tata will likely need to beef up their remedy package to win EU antitrust approval by June 17. Yet, additional divestitures may affect the rationale of the deal.

A Deutsche Bank-Commerzbank Deal Would Have an Easy Regulatory Ride.

February 17, 2019April 26, 2019Editorial

A Deutsche Bank-Commerzbank deal have been a few years in the making, but after the latest comments from German regulators and politicians, it seems that the deal may be closer. The lenders overlap in retail and corporate banking, but the combined market share isn’t likely to raise any antitrust concerns. Yet, is it the merger of two failing banks the solution to create a good one?

How Can I Save an Anticompetitive Merger? Remedies!

January 12, 2019March 24, 2019Editorial

For most M&A deals that raise antitrust flags, remedies may appease regulators. While divestitures are the preferred option, especially in horizontal deals, behavioural remedies are widely used in vertical and conglomerate mergers.