The deal cannot close before Friday of this week and the deal is set to expire on the 18th at which point Microsoft would likely incur that breakup fee if the deal does not wind up happening. We also saw some regulatory progress in another deal this week with chip maker Broadcom and their planned acquisition ofVMware. In Europe, competition is considered much more important than in antitrust in the United States is.
The FTC failed to prove the Microsoft/Activision Blizzard deal would substantially lessen competition, which means blockbuster acquisition might come together before next week’s deadline.
(00:21) Bill Mann and Dylan Lewis discuss:
- Why the FTC’s attempt to block the Microsoft/Activision Blizzard deal failed. - The “concessions” Microsoft is making to make the deal happen. - How we’re seeing a similar response to regulatory interest in Broadcom’s planned acquisition.
(14:09) Is it the end of an era for superheros? Mary Long caught up with Catie Peiper to discuss trends in entertainment and Mattel's big bet on Barbie.
Companies discussed: MSFT, ATVI, VMW, AVGO, DIS, MAT, HAS
Host: Dylan Lewis Guests: Bill Mann, Mary Long, Catie Peiper Engineers: Dan Boyd, Rick Engdahl
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