Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) shares were little changed early Wednesday as investors weighed an FTC consent order setting conditions for its planned Spirit AeroSystems deal alongside Air Astana’s newly finalized order for up to 15 787-9 Dreamliners.On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission finalized conditions tied to its planned acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc.The Federal Trade Commission confirmed a “consent” agreement that settles antitrust concerns tied to the transaction.Following a public co ...

Core Viewpoint - Edwards Lifesciences has eliminated its anti-copycat policy, leading to the closure of an EU antitrust investigation against the company [1]. Group 1: Company Actions - Edwards Lifesciences has withdrawn its Global Unilateral Pro-Innovation (Anti-Copycatting) Policy (UPIP), which was previously a point of contention with Indian rival Meril [1]. - The European Commission confirmed that the removal of the UPIP from the company's website indicates that the concerns regarding market power abuse have been addressed [1]. Group 2: Regulatory Context - The European Commission had conducted an investigation into Edwards Lifesciences after a complaint from Meril, which alleged that the company was abusing its market position [1]. - The Commission's investigation included a raid on one of Edwards Lifesciences' facilities in September 2023 [1]. - The closure of the investigation means that further action is not considered a priority at the EU level [1].

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been asking several of Microsoft’s competitors about the company’s business practices as part of an ongoing antitrust probe, Bloomberg reported Friday (Feb. 13), citing unnamed sources.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free acc ...

Core Viewpoint - Netflix Inc shares have reached a new 52-week low of $75.23 amid a competitive bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery, with the stock underperforming in a broader technology sell-off [1] Group 1: Bidding War and Investor Sentiment - Ancora, an activist investor, claims that Warner Bros. Discovery's board has not adequately considered Paramount's offer, which includes a "ticking fee" of $0.25 per share for delays past December 31 and a $2.8 billion termination fee to Netflix [2] - David Ellison from Paramount emphasized the financial backing of their offer, stating they are making meaningful enhancements with billions of dollars [2] Group 2: Regulatory Challenges - The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating potential anticompetitive practices by Netflix, including a civil subpoena seeking information on whether Netflix engaged in "exclusionary conduct" to maintain monopoly power [3] - Netflix's attorney characterized the DOJ's review as "totally ordinary" [3] Group 3: Investment Activity - Renaissance Group has significantly increased its position in Netflix by nearly 900% quarter-over-quarter, now holding 355,377 shares [3] Group 4: Technical Analysis - Netflix's stock is trading 8.8% below its 20-day simple moving average and 25.5% below its 100-day simple moving average, indicating a bearish trend [4] - Over the past 12 months, shares have decreased by 25.55% [4] - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 29.16, indicating oversold conditions, while the MACD suggests some potential bullish momentum [4] Group 5: Market Position and Performance - As of the latest publication, Netflix shares were down 4.19% at $76.28 [5] - Key resistance level is identified at $83.50, while key support is at $75.00 [5] - Netflix's value score is weak at 15.58, indicating it is trading at a steep premium relative to peers, while its quality score is strong at 77.36, reflecting a healthy balance sheet [5] - Momentum score is weak at 8.03, indicating underperformance compared to the broader market [5]

Group 1 - Google is facing potential EU antitrust scrutiny over concerns that it may be unfairly increasing online advertising prices, as indicated in a letter to advertisers [1][2] - The European Commission is particularly focused on Google's auction practices for advertising on Google Search, alleging that the company is artificially raising auction clearing prices to the detriment of advertisers [2][4] - Google maintains that its search ads support small businesses and that ad prices are determined through a real-time auction process that considers factors like competition and ad quality [3] Group 2 - The U.S. Justice Department has accused Google of manipulating online auctions to benefit its own financial interests, which could escalate tensions between the U.S. government and EU regulators [4] - The European Commission is prepared to investigate anti-competitive practices across all sectors if concrete evidence is found, and recipients of the letter have until March 2 to provide feedback [4]

European Commission Google, the target for billions of euros in European Union antitrust fines, has been hit by a fresh EU probe over concerns it’s illegally rigging the cost of advertising on its search engine. The European Commission suspects the Alphabet Inc. unit is “artificially increasing the clearing price” of ad auctions “to the detriment of advertisers,” according to a copy of a Feb. 9 letter to potentially affected businesses, seen by Bloomberg. Most Read from Bloomberg The Brussels-based re ...

Core Viewpoint - Google is under investigation by the European Union for allegedly manipulating advertising costs on its search engine [1] Group 1: Investigation Details - The investigation focuses on concerns that Google may be illegally rigging the pricing of search ads [1]

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is under pressure to consider Paramount Skydance's revised $78 billion takeover offer, primarily due to regulatory concerns surrounding its existing deal with Netflix, rather than the attractiveness of the offer itself [1][5]. Group 1: Paramount's Offer Details - The new terms of Paramount's offer include covering a $2.8 billion breakup fee to exit the Netflix agreement and a "ticking fee" of 25 cents per share for delays in regulatory approval, paid quarterly after December 31 [2]. - The revised offer does not meet WBD CEO David Zaslav's expectations, lacking a $3 per share increase on top of the $30 per share cash bid and failing to secure a personal guarantee from Larry Ellison for the $50 billion debt associated with the deal [3][5]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment - WBD's decision-making is heavily influenced by increasing antitrust scrutiny on Netflix, which is facing challenges regarding its $73 billion acquisition of WBD's Warner Bros. studio and HBO Max streaming service [5][13]. - The scrutiny includes a bipartisan Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that criticized Netflix's business practices, indicating a potential regulatory backlash against the streaming giant [9]. Group 3: Shareholder Considerations - WBD's shareholders are reportedly inclined to approve the Netflix deal, fearing a drop in stock value if the deal is rejected, as the stock could revert to around $12 [7]. - The proximity of Paramount's $30 per share bid to Netflix's $27.75 offer, combined with the value of an upcoming spinoff of WBD's cable properties, complicates the decision for shareholders [8]. Group 4: Financial Implications - If WBD were to walk away from the Netflix deal, it could result in a $5.8 billion windfall from the breakup fee, but this would also lead to a significantly lower stock price for shareholders [16].

Core Viewpoint - The acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix marks a significant shift in the streaming industry, potentially disrupting Hollywood and consolidating major franchises under one platform [2][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Netflix has acquired Warner Bros.' film and television studios, HBO, HBO Max, and other assets, bringing together iconic franchises like Game of Thrones and Harry Potter [2]. - The deal is valued at approximately $82.7 billion, with Netflix offering $27.75 per WBD share in an all-cash agreement [9][10]. - Paramount had initially offered around $108 billion to acquire the entire company, but Netflix's focused offer on specific assets was deemed more attractive by WBD's board [8]. Group 2: Competitive Bidding Process - The bidding process for WBD became competitive, with Paramount and Comcast emerging as serious contenders, but Netflix ultimately secured the deal [6][8]. - Paramount's proposal was rejected due to concerns about its heavy debt load, which would have left the combined company with $87 billion in debt [12]. - Paramount has continued to pursue WBD's assets, even filing a lawsuit for more information about the Netflix deal [13]. Group 3: Regulatory Scrutiny - The deal faces intense regulatory scrutiny, with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos scheduled to testify before a U.S. Senate committee [15]. - Prominent lawmakers have expressed concerns that the merger could lead to excessive market power, potentially harming consumers and stifling competition [16]. - If regulators block the acquisition, Netflix would be liable for a $5.8 billion breakup fee [17]. Group 4: Industry Reactions - The entertainment industry has largely reacted negatively, with the Writers Guild of America calling for the merger to be blocked on antitrust grounds [19]. - Concerns have been raised about the potential impact on independent creators and job losses within the industry [19]. - Netflix has indicated that operations at HBO will remain largely unchanged in the near term, with no immediate pricing changes expected during the regulatory approval period [21][22]. Group 5: Timeline for Closure - The deal is not yet finalized, with a WBD stockholder vote expected around April, and the acquisition anticipated to close 12 to 18 months after that vote, pending regulatory approvals [23].

Core Viewpoint - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated an investigation into Netflix's proposed $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery to assess potential anti-competitive practices [1][6]. Group 1: Company Position and Response - Netflix's Chief Global Affairs Officer, Clete Willems, stated that the DOJ's investigation is a standard procedure and the company is cooperating fully [2][5]. - Willems emphasized that the merger would be beneficial for the U.S. economy and consumers, highlighting the company's commitment to transparency compared to rival bidder Paramount [7][10]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Paramount's counter-offer for Warner Bros. was rejected, and Willems pointed out that Paramount has faced significant job cuts, contrasting Netflix's job growth [9][10]. - The DOJ's civil subpoena is examining whether either Netflix's or Paramount's acquisition could negatively impact competition in the market [6]. Group 3: Consumer Benefits - Willems outlined potential consumer benefits from the merger, including increased content availability and continued theatrical releases for Warner Bros. shows [12].