FTC announces annual revisions to HSR Act thresholds

In accordance with the 2000 amendments to the HSR Act, the Federal Trade Commission has announced its annual revision to the jurisdictional thresholds under the Act.  The new thresholds will go into effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, which is expected in the next few days.  For the first time in a number of years, the new thresholds are slightly lower than the previous ones, reflecting a corresponding decrease in the gross national product.

Under the new thresholds, no transaction will be reportable unless, as a result of it, the acquiring person will hold voting securities, assets, or noncorporate interests of the acquired person valued above $92 million. 

When the Size-of-Persons Test applies

If, as a result of the transaction, the acquiring person will hold voting securities, assets, or noncorporate interests of the acquired person valued above $92 million but below $368 million, then the Size-of-Persons test will also need to be met for the transaction to be reportable. 

Generally, the Size-of-Persons test will be met if one person (either acquiring or acquired) has annual net sales or total assets equal to or exceeding $18.4 million, and the other person has annual net sales or total assets equal to or exceeding $184 million.[1]

Filing fee tiers also amended

The filing fee tiers will also be amended.  The fee will be $45,000 for transactions valued above $92 million and below $184 million; $125,000 for transactions valued at or above $184 million and below $919.9 million; and $280,000 for transactions valued at or above $919.9 million.

Effective date

The new thresholds will go into effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, which is expected in the next few days, and will affect all transactions closing after the effective date.