Press Release: Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Thomson’s take over of Reuters

The European Commission has decided to open an in-depth investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into the proposed combination of Thomson of Canada and Reuters of the UK. The Commission’s initial market investigation indicates that the proposed merger would raise serious doubts as regards adverse effects on competition in several markets of the financial information sector. The decision to open an in-depth inquiry does not prejudge the final result of the investigation. The Commission now has 90 working days (until 25 February 2008) to take a final decision on whether the proposed transaction would significantly impede effective competition within the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.