FTC Announces New HSR and Section 8 Thresholds

The Federal Trade Commission announced last week that it will increase the jurisdictional thresholds applicable to both the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act") and Section 8 of the Clayton Act. These dollar thresholds are indexed annually based on changes in the U.S. gross national product.

The HSR Act requires that certain large transactions be notified prior to their consummation. This year, the minimum "size-of-transaction" threshold for reporting mergers and acquisitions will increase from $70.9 million to $75.9 million. In addition, the "size-of-person" thresholds, the filing fee thresholds and the thresholds applicable to certain exemptions will also increase. These revisions will become effective thirty days after their publication in the Federal Register, which is expected in the next week.

The Commission also issued revised thresholds relating to the prohibition of certain interlocking directorates under Section 8 of the Clayton Act. These revisions will take effect immediately upon their publication in the Federal Register.

Click here to read a full copy of the Commission's announcement, including all of the revised thresholds.