Originally published January 20, 2010
Keywords: FTC, Hart-Scott-Rodino, Antitrust Improvements Act, thresholds, mergers, acquisitions
On January 20, 2010, the Federal Trade Commission published new thresholds relating to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18a. The thresholds govern which mergers or acquisitions must be reported to the FTC and the Department of Justice. Since 2005, the thresholds have been adjusted annually according to the change in US gross domestic product. This year's adjustment marks the first time that the HSR thresholds have been lowered.
Once the new HSR thresholds go into effect, notification of mergers or acquisitions will be required if:
- The acquiring party will hold assets or voting securities of another person valued in excess of $63.4 million, and the transaction involves one party with annual net sales or total assets in excess of $12.7 million and another party with annual net sales or total assets in excess of $126.9 million; or
- The acquiring party will hold assets or voting securities of another person valued in excess of $253.7 million.
The new thresholds will apply to any mergers or acquisitions closed 30 days after the thresholds are published in the Federal Register.
The FTC's Federal Register notice, and a complete list of all HSR threshold adjustments, can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/01/hsr-safeharbor.shtm.
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