Dechert Antitrust Merger Investigation Timing Tracker Shows Slowing Pace of U.S. Merger Investigations in 2015

With the third quarter now closed, the Dechert Antitrust Merger Investigation Timing Tracker (DAMITT) indicates that the average duration of significant antitrust merger investigations in 2015 is 10.0 months. While the 2015 Q3 YTD figure is down slightly from the 2015 Q2 YTD figure of 10.4 months, merger investigations in the U.S. still are markedly longer than in prior years. The average significant antitrust merger investigation is taking 30% longer than the 7.7 months recorded in 2014 and more than 40% longer than the 7.1 month average that held from 2011-13.

DAMITT measures the time from transaction announcement until resolution of the investigation for Hart-Scott-Rodino Act reportable transactions resulting in a closing statement, consent order, complaint challenging the transaction, or abandonment for which the agency takes credit. Data from DAMITT have been highlighted in recent stories in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Time and other leading publications.