Concerns about Simon-General Growth deal
A proposed merger between the two largest shopping mall owners is in doubt over antitrust concerns, Reuters reported Monday. The REIT Newshound newsletter reported that the Federal Trade Commission could intervene, according to Reuters, and regulators are already looking at Simon’s pending acquisition of Prime Outlets. The two are working out an agreement over getting rid of some assets to pass regulatory scrutiny. According to the Wall Street Journal: Simon had offered in recent days to commit to divesting around 25 to 30 malls, but General Growth’s lawyers say Simon needs to be prepared to divest more.
Concerns about an Apple contract
Language in Apple’s new developer contract has some firms worried that the contract bans software applications from transmitting data to other mobile advertising networks. Apple launched its own network, the iAd, last week. “If they’re right,” All Things Digital reports, “Apple’s contract would severely handicap rival ‘in-app’ ad networks – like Google’s AdMob – without formally banning them.”
Concerns about United-U.S. Airways
A Seattle Times columnist raised concerns about a potential United-U.S. Airways deal. Even with competition from Southwest Airlines, the combined airlines would have the power to raise fares and cut choices, the columnist Jon Talton wrote Monday. “Southwest has been reluctant to move against ‘fortress hubs’ such as US Airways in Charlotte, because the dominant carrier can lower fares so much as to make a venture there by Southwest ruinous.” Continental may still get in the game.
Concerns about MSCI-RiskMetrics
MSCI, a company that creates indices and assesses risk for investors, said it was re-filing the paperwork for its bid for RiskMetrics Group. The move will reset the 30-day clock the Justice Department has to review the deal before filing a second request for more information. The new period will end on May 14.
