Update 8 p.m.: Adds a Microsoft comment to the NYT on the UK antitrust review. Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) fell 5% in a report that Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) expects the UK antitrust authority to oppose his $69 billion video game mega deal.
The Microsoft Legal Team (MSFT) expects the UK Competition and Markets Authority to oppose its planned purchase of Activision (ATVI), according to a New York Times report on Saturday, which cited four people familiar with the matter. The European Commission may be susceptible to possible remedies.
The NYT updated its story later on Monday to include that Microsoft (MSFT) said it believes it has a strong case in the UK and has not been “predetermined” nor has its lawyers informed it that the merger will be blocked.
Earlier this month, the UK antitrust watchdog’s review of the transaction was extended to the end of April from early March. The UK CMA confirmed in September that it was looking further into the Activision deal after Microsoft failed to allay concerns about potential anti-competitive effects.
