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China OKs Microsoft’s Planned $69B Activision Buy

By  |  May 21, 2023

China’s antitrust regulator has approved Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision for $69 billion.

The China State Administration for Market Regulation provided unconditional approval for the deal during a Phase III review, as reported by Dealreporter based on reliable sources.

The approval of the videogame mega deal in China and the European Union was granted with certain conditions. However, the decision by the UK antitrust regulator to block the deal last month is considered a significant obstacle that may result in its termination.

The US Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit to prevent the $95 per share acquisition of Activision in December, and a trial is set to begin in August.

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Activision CEO Bobby Kotick late last month said that the UK antitrust regulator’s decision to block the videogame giant’s sale to Microsoft was a“flawed ruling in every respect.”