Source: Microsoft plans to close its $68.7B Activision acquisition on October 13, with a final decision from UK's CMA allowing the deal expected next week
An expected final CMA decision would resolve the last stated obstacle to a transaction already cleared through other stages of its regulatory process.
First-order effects
Microsoft and Activision can prepare to complete the $68.7B transaction on October 13 if the CMA delivers the expected decision next week.
The companies’ extended merger agreement would no longer need to carry the deal through its October 18 deadline if closing proceeds as planned.
Second-order effects
A favorable UK outcome would remove a major source of uncertainty for Activision employees, partners, and Xbox’s content planning.
The case reinforces that a UK competition review can determine the timetable for a global technology acquisition even after other regulatory milestones are reached.
Third-order effects
If large platform deals increasingly require transaction-specific remedies or revised structures to clear national reviews, dealmakers will need to treat regulatory design as part of merger strategy rather than a closing formality.
The episode points toward more durable scrutiny of acquisitions that combine major game content, distribution platforms, and cloud access, though the lasting standard will depend on how regulators apply this case in later reviews.
The trend: Big technology acquisitions are becoming multi-jurisdiction negotiations in which the final regulatory holdout can shape both timing and transaction structure.
scoop: Microsoft is planning to finalize its $68.7 billion proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard next week. Microsoft is currently eyeing up Friday October 13th... unlucky for some. Details here 👉 https://www.theverge.com/... [image]
“The CMA has a deadline that expires today on gathering opinions over whether it should grant consent to #Microsoft”. A final decision from the CMA is expected next week, and barring any surprise last-minute changes should allow Microsoft to close." 💪 https://www.theverge.com/...
According to the Verge, Friday the 13th may be the day the ABK deal is closed or the closing is announced: Microsoft eyes closing its giant Activision Blizzard deal next week https://www.theverge.com/... via @Verge I'm not superstitious. Hope you aren't either 😅 🧵1/3
While Tom Warren and I have had disagreements unrelated to the real issues, he has great access to Microsoft-internal information and I have nothing negative to say about his work as a journalist. Last time he expected a CMA decision the next week, it came down sooner. 🧵2/3
Microsoft reportedly plans to complete the Activision Blizzard acquisition next week and is eyeing Friday the 13th according to The Verge 20 months of craziness is almost over unless something unexpected happens 🔥🔥🔥 Source: https://www.theverge.com/... [image]