In an acquisition of voting securities or non-corporate interests, Section 802.4 allows you to look through to the underlying assets of the issuer or non-corporate entity to determine whether an HSR filing is required. If the acquisition of the assets would be exempt if acquired directly, Section 802.4 may exempt the acquisition of the issuer or non-corporate entity that holds the assets.
Step 1: Determine the value of the voting securities or non-corporate interests to be acquired using the appropriate section of Section 801.10.
- If the value is $50 million (as adjusted) or less,1 the transaction is not reportable.
- If the value exceeds $50 million (as adjusted), proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Analyze the transaction to determine if it is exempt under Section 802.4. Note that the size of transaction that was determined in Step 1 does not change at any subsequent point in Step 2.
- Determine all of the underlying assets held, directly or indirectly, by the issuer or unincorporated entity whose voting securities or non-corporate interests are being acquired.
- Determine which (if any) of the assets are exempt under any provision in 7A(c) of the statute, Part 802 of the rules, or Section 801.21 (cash and cash equivalents). Take the exempt assets out of the calculation. The value of a non-controlling interest in any entity may also be excluded. Note, however, that non-controlling holdings of voting securities may be separately reportable as a secondary acquisition.
- Determine the fair market value of the remaining non-exempt assets.
If the fair market value exceeds $50 million (as adjusted), the acquisition of the voting securities or non-corporate interests is reportable and the value is the size of transaction determined in Step 1.
If the fair market value is $50 million (as adjusted) or less, the acquisition of the voting securities or non-corporate interests is exempt under Section 802.4, regardless of the size of transaction.
Endnotes:
1 This number is adjusted annually based on the change in the level of gross national product. For the current thresholds click here.