Pacific Equity Partners and Merrill Lynch - proposed acquisition of Veda Advantage
Type of assessment
Informal Review
Reference
27951
Acquirer(s)
Pacific Equity Partners and Merrill Lynch
Target(s)
Veda Advantage
Industry
Business marketing and credit services
Summary
A consortium comprising Pacific Equity Partners and Merrill Lynch proposes to acquire Veda Advantage Ltd.
Outcome of assessment
Not opposed
Total review days *
10
Commenced public review
12th April 2007
Date completed
26th April 2007
Market definition
The ACCC considered Pacific Equity Partners' and Merrill Lynch's proposed acquisition of Veda Advantage Ltd in the context of the following relevant markets:
- A national market for the provision of business marketing services;
- A national market for the provision of business credit services; and
- A national market for the provision of consumer credit services.
Competition analysis
The ACCC considered that the proposed acquisition was unlikely to cause a substantial lessening of competition given that it would result in a bare transfer of market share between Veda Advantage Ltd and the consortium comprising Pacific Equity Partners and Merrill Lynch in the relevant markets.
Review timeline
Date
Event
12th April 2007
ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines. Market inquiries commenced
20th April 2007
Closing date for submissions from interested parties
26th April 2007
ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition
* Total Review days = Total business days less public holidays and time during which the review was suspended.
