FTC Announces Annual Update of Size of Transaction Thresholds for Premerger Notification Filings and Interlocking Directorates

For 2018, the size-of-transaction threshold for reporting proposed mergers and acquisitions under Section 7A of the Clayton Act will adjust from $80.8 million to $84.4 million. Also, the 2018 thresholds under Section 8 of the Act that trigger prohibitions on certain interlocking memberships on corporate boards of directors are $34,395,000 for Section 8(a)(l ) and $3,439,500 for Section 8(a)(2)(A).

The FTC revises the thresholds annually, based on the change in gross national product. The revised thresholds under Section 7A of the Clayton Act will apply to all transactions that close on or after the effective date of the notice, which is 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register. The thresholds for Section 8 of the Clayton Act become effective upon publication in the Federal Register. A complete listing of current thresholds can be found on the FTC’s website, and will be updated once the revised thresholds are published in the Federal Register.

The votes to approve the Federal Register notices announcing the threshold revisions were both 2-0. (FTC File No. P859910; the staff contact for Section 7A is Nora Whitehead, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-3262; the staff contact for Section 8 is James Mongoven, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2879.)

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about how competition benefits consumers or file an antitrust complaint. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.