Yesterday, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) published revised thresholds for the Hart-Scott-Rodino (“HSR”) Act, which will take effect on February 23, 2022. Earlier, the FTC also announced new thresholds for Section 8 of the Clayton Act, which governs interlocking directorates. Each of these thresholds is higher for 2022, than for 2021. The HSR Act and Section 8 thresholds are adjusted annually based on the change in gross national product. The maximum daily civil penalty for violations of the HSR Act, which is tied to inflation, has also increased.

HSR Act Thresholds

The HSR Act requires parties to certain mergers and acquisitions to notify the FTC and Antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and observe a waiting period (usually 30 days) prior to consummating a reportable transaction. The jurisdictional thresholds are adjusted annually. Beginning February 23, 2022, acquisitions resulting in aggregate holdings of voting securities, assets, or controlling interests in non-corporate entities valued at more than $101 million may be reportable (“size of transaction”).

For transactions that result in aggregate holdings valued at more than $101 million, but less than $403.9 million, the parties will also need to meet the “size of person” test for the Act to apply. This test will require one “person” to have annual net sales or total assets of at least $202 million and the other “person” to have at least $20.2 million in annual net sales or total assets. However, if the “acquired person” is not “engaged in manufacturing,” the smaller size of person test will only be met if it has assets valued at more than $20.2 million.

The notification thresholds, which are used to determine whether a new filing is required for the acquisition of additional voting securities within five years of the expiration or early termination of a prior filing, will also increase, as shown below.

The HSR filing fees will not be adjusted; however, the valuation thresholds that are used to determine the filing fee that applies to a specific acquisition will each be increased. Legislation to change the HSR filing fees has been proposed but, as of this writing, has not yet been passed.

With certain exceptions, Section 8 of the Clayton Act prohibits one person from serving as a director or officer of two competing corporations at the same time, if each competitor corporation has capital, surplus and undivided profits above an annually adjusted threshold. Effective January 24, 2022, this threshold is $41,034,000.Section 8 Thresholds (“Interlocking Directorates”)

However, this prohibition does not apply if:

  • the “competitive sales” (as defined by the statute) of either corporation are less than 2 per centum of that corporation’s total sales;
  • the “competitive sales” of each corporation are less than 4 per centum of that corporation’s total sales; or
  • the “competitive sales” of either corporation are less than an annually adjusted threshold. Effective January 24, 2022, this threshold is $4,103,400.

Civil Penalties

Finally, the FTC has announced the maximum daily civil penalty amount for HSR violations. The amount increased from $43,792 to $46,517 per day of the violation. The new maximum applies to civil penalties assessed on or after January 10, 2022, regardless of when the underlying violation occurred.

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Photo of James R. Dean Jr. James R. Dean Jr.

James Dean practices in the antitrust and energy regulatory areas and serves as vice-chair of the Antitrust Practice Group.  As part of his antitrust practice, Mr. Dean advises clients on all aspects of antitrust law, including mergers, joint ventures, distribution agreements, and trade…

James Dean practices in the antitrust and energy regulatory areas and serves as vice-chair of the Antitrust Practice Group.  As part of his antitrust practice, Mr. Dean advises clients on all aspects of antitrust law, including mergers, joint ventures, distribution agreements, and trade association activities.  He has represented numerous clients in responding to government investigations and as both plaintiffs and defendants in private antitrust litigation.  Mr. Dean also regularly handles issues related to pre-merger notification filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and foreign merger control regimes.

Mr. Dean also has significant experience with energy regulatory matters.  He advises both regulated utilities and financial investors on the federal and state regulation of both natural gas and electricity, including market restructuring issues, obtaining regulatory approval for energy-related transactions, and rate filings.

Photo of Jim O’Connell Jim O’Connell

Jim O’Connell advises clients on their critical antitrust matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other transactions; licensing arrangements and other business practices; government investigations; and litigation. In connection with his merger practice, he also regularly helps clients assess and comply with…

Jim O’Connell advises clients on their critical antitrust matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other transactions; licensing arrangements and other business practices; government investigations; and litigation. In connection with his merger practice, he also regularly helps clients assess and comply with their obligations under the HSR Act and comparable merger control regimes around the world.

Photo of Stacy Kobrick Stacy Kobrick

Stacy Kobrick focuses on counseling clients on Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) premerger notification requirements. She represents clients in a variety of industries, including private equity, energy, software, and telecommunications.

She has particular experience advising clients on general antitrust compliance issues, including information exchange and integration planning.