The Biggest Mergers Currently Stuck In Regulatory Purgatory

After a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, Bayer AG (ADR) BAYRY generated excitement among American investors eager to finalize a long-anticipated merger with Monsanto Company MON.

But the Federal Trade Commission is not yet on board with the deal, and the companies still linger in merger limbo. They’re not the only ones.

Recently Delayed M&As

The FTC delayed a $4.5-billion acquisition of Cabelas Inc CAB by Bass Pro Shops during antitrust investigations in 2016, and the case was last updated on December 30 with regulators seeking more information on the deal.

Aetna Inc AET anticipates news in January of the Department Of Justice’s ruling on its $37-billion acquisition of Humana Inc HUM. The deal has been hanging on regulators since July.

In August, the DoJ blocked Deere & Company DE from a Monsanto Company MON acquisition, and no news has been released since the suit was filed.

Recent Long-Term M&A Closings

Some companies have, after long delay, finally jumped the regulatory hurdles and recently closed on deals.

Abbott Laboratories ABT only just won conditional approval to acquire St Jude Medical Inc (previously traded STJ). Their deal had been in the works since April 2016.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. NXST completed a $4.6-billion acquisition of Media General, Inc. (previously traded MEG) on January 17 after a seven-month holdup on DoJ regulations.

In December, the DoJ reached a settlement with AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc AMC for its $1.2 billion merger with Carmike Cinemas, Inc. (previously traded CKEC) The deal had been on the table since April 2016.

Alaska Air Group, Inc. ALK closed the acquisition of Virgin America Inc (previously traded VA) on December 6 for $57 per share after plans had been announced in April.