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US: FTC preparing to block Staples-Office Depot deal

By  |  November 30, 2015

US antitrust regulators are preparing to block Staples Inc’s acquisition of smaller rival Office Depot Inc, the New York Post reported on Monday.

The Federal Trade Commission may again delay its decision on the deal, seeking more concessions from Staples, the Post reported, citing two people familiar with the matter.

The FTC is “ramping up for litigation,” one person told the Post. Two of the four FTC commissioners looking into the deal are believed to oppose it, the newspaper reported.

Staples’ first attempt to buy Office Depot was blocked by U.S. regulators in 1997.

The deal is also being investigated by EU regulators, who have raised concerns about possible price hikes.

Staples said in October that it had agreed with the FTC to extend the review period for the acquisition. The FTC is expected to decide on the deal by Dec. 8.

Full content: New York Post

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