Updated: EC Approves Thomson-Reuters With Conditions; DOJ Concurs; Close Expected In April

On schedule, the European Commission has approved the merger of Thomson (NYSE: TOC) and Reuters (NSDQ: RTRSY) (technically the former is buying the latter), provided the companies meet certain competition conditions, which they have already agreed to…

In particular, the EC was concerned about the distribution of earnings estimates and other analyst research, and the possibility that a merged entity would be the sole provider of this information. Under a proposal put forth by the two companies, there will be a divestiture of certain assets in this area, which the commission believes will preserve competition. The announcement states that the companies have reached the same agreement with the US DOJ, which had pushed back its decision to get itself on the same schedule as the EU.

Statement: “The Commission

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