Regulatory Reviews

Large deals need government approval. Antitrust agencies check whether a merger would hurt competition, and industry regulators may weigh in too. Here is how reviews work, 2026 filing thresholds and real examples.

The antitrust check

In the U.S., deals above a size threshold must be reported to the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department before closing. For 2026, the basic threshold is $133.9 million, for deals closing on or after Feb. 17, 2026. The parties then wait, usually 30 days, while the agencies decide whether to dig deeper with a “second request,” which can add months.

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