M&A – Page 3 – Antitrust Intelligence

AerCap-GECAS’s EU Review Takes Off With Soft Landing in Sight

June 22, 2021June 23, 2021Editorial

The combination of AerCap and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) will create an aircraft leasing worldwide leader that would likely obtain all the necessary antitrust approvals despite the size of the companies. The merger isn’t likely to raise significant antitrust concerns, but even if it does, remedies may appease regulators. In this article we tell you why this market leader won’t raise antitrust concerns.

Visa, Mastercard May Face Hurdles to Grow Through M&A

May 7, 2021June 23, 2021Editorial

The failed attempt by Visa to buy Plaid may indicate a bigger problem for card networks and a few fintech companies, they are growing too large to be ignored by regulators and areas such account-to-account payments and merchant acquiring servicies may enter in antitrust scrutiny territory. In this article we tell you which PayTech companies may be in a better position to continue growing through M&A.

UK’s CMA Clears $5 Billion Visa-Plaid, Lures Companies Into FinTech M&A

August 24, 2020August 26, 2020Editorial

Visa’s $5 billion acquisition of Plaid was unconditionally cleared by the U.K.’s CMA on August 24. It contrasts with the EU conditional approval obtained by Mastercard in its acquisition of Nets on August 17. The analysis conducted by the U.K. regulator left a door wide open for companies like American Express, PayPal and TrueLayer to continue the consolidation in the customer-to-business (C2B) payment sector.

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.

IoT Likely to Trigger Sensor Makers, Software M&A

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019Editorial

(Premium) – Sensor-makers such as Ametek, Sensata and Spectris may scout for targets in the software industry to ascend the industrial IoT value chain, following Hexagon’s lead in boosting its margin by acquiring software players. Sensors and related software help machines generate meaningful data that enable manufacturers to increase operational efficiencies.

EU Shields Strategic Targets From (Not Only) Chinese Investments

March 8, 2019April 26, 2019Editorial

The European Union approved on March 5 a new Regulation to screen foreign investments aimed at protecting strategic EU companies in the technology, infrastructure and energy sectors from non-EU buyers.

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.

Siemens-Alstom Likely to Derail Unless High-Speed Trains Are Divested

January 11, 2019May 2, 2019Editorial

(Premium) – The Siemens-Alstom deal is about to collapse unless the companies are willing to divest additional high-speed trains. The initial remedy package seems insufficient to appease EU regulators. For Siemens the cost of divesting additional high-speed trains may render the deal unattractive.

CME-NEX Likely Clears in 4Q After U.K.’s Review Kicked Off

October 12, 2018May 2, 2019Editorial

(Premium) – CME and NEX shouldn’t find any opposition from the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to clear their $5.4 billion deal. Minimal horizontal overlaps and the parties’ complementary businesses suggest the merger review should end with a phase-one approval by year-end.