Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed Deutsche Börse/LSE merger

The European Commission opened on 28 September 2016 an in-depth investigation on the proposed merger between Deutsche Börse AG and London Stock Exchange Group.

The Commission aimed to assess whether the merger would reduce competition in the financial market. The terms of the merger had been announced in March 2016 as a result of the negotiations between the LSE and DB.

Media reported in February 2017 that the operation was unlikely to be approved by the Commission due to antitrust concerns. The outcome of the European Commission Phase II process was expected on or before 3 April 2017.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 27.02.17: London Stock Exchange/Deutsche Boerse merger in doubt http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39098805

The Guardian, 27.02.17: LSE says £24bn Deutsche Börse merger has been derailed by EU https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/feb/27/london-stock-exchange-says-deutsche-boerse-merger-in-doubt

The Independent, 27.02.17: London Stock Exchange warns Deutsche Börse merger likely to be blocked by European Commission http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/london-stock-exchange-deutsche-borse-merger-latest-european-commission-block-eu-approval-unlikely-a7601226.html

Politico, 26.02.17: Deutsche Börse-London Stock Exchange merger jeopardized by antitrust concerns http://www.politico.eu/article/deutsche-borse-london-stock-exchange-merger-jeopardized-by-antitrust-concerns/

The New York Times, 26.02.17: London Stock Exchange Says Its Merger Is Unlikely to Win Approval https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/26/business/dealbook/london-stock-exchange-merger-deutsche-borse.html

Deutsche Welle, 27.02.17: LSE-Deutsche Börse merger 'unlikely' http://dw.com/p/2YHhY

EurActiv, 27.02.17: EU set to block stock market mega merger http://www.euractiv.com/section/competition/news/eu-set-to-block-stock-market-mega-merger/

The Economist, 02.03.17: No deal? A planned merger of LSE and Deutsche Börse unravels http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21717995-competition-concerns-may-mask-political-rivalry-planned-merger-lse-and

BBC News, 02.03.17: London Stock Exchange 'working hard' on Deutsche Boerse merger http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39150712

LSEG, 26.02.17: Update on the European Commission Phase II proceedings (this page cannot be opened in certain jurisdictions) http://www.lseg.com/documents/download/21452/05602a862a3e63559a4d0b38be5f7bc2

The Telegraph, 28.02.17: Brussels under fire for derailing LSE merger with Deutsche Borse http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/02/28/brussels-fire-derailing-lse-merger-deutsche-borse/

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