Bloomberg Talks FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson Talks Acquihires
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Jan 16, 2026 Andrew Ferguson, the Federal Trade Commission Chair, dives into the intricate world of acquihires and antitrust laws. He explains how the FTC ensures compliance for these deals, especially as tech companies now face increased scrutiny. Ferguson also discusses the rising value of AI-related acquihires and their implications for regulatory review. The conversation touches on the importance of fair processes and preparation for enforcing new legislation against online harms, as well as his commitment to ongoing consumer protection efforts.
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Acquihires No Longer Needed To Evade Review
- Andrew Ferguson says acquihires were used to try to escape pre-merger review but that is no longer necessary.
- The FTC will apply the law fairly and either clear lawful deals quickly or sue unlawful ones.
Don't Structure Deals To Evade HSR
- Do not structure deals to try to escape HSR review because the statute forbids it.
- Report acquisitions when assets or stock are purchased and expect scrutiny if terms look engineered to avoid review.
FTC Will Study Acquihire Structures First
- The FTC is studying acquihires because structures vary widely and may or may not trigger HSR.
- The agency may issue guidance once it better understands how these deals work in practice.