U.K. Competition and Markets Authority to Refer Merger to a Phase 2 Review
03/16/2022 - 04:00 AM
Merger Timeline Delayed to Mid-to-Late 2022
TEMPE, Ariz. , March 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NortonLifeLock (NASDAQ: NLOK), a global leader in consumer Cyber Safety, today released the following statement related to the status of the final remaining regulatory approval for NortonLifeLock's recommended merger (the "Merger") with Avast plc ("Avast"):
Based upon potential impact in the U.K. market, the CMA intends to refer the Merger to a Phase 2 investigation if the company does not offer Phase 1 remedies. The decision is surprising. We believe this transaction can only benefit consumers across the globe, including in the U.K., through increased innovation and greater consumer freedom and choice beyond big tech platform providers in the burgeoning Cyber Safety market. Regulators from across the globe, including the US Department of Justice, and in Europe the German Federal Cartel Office, and the Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission, have reviewed and cleared the transaction. NortonLifeLock remains confident that the transaction should be approved and does not intend to propose any Phase 1 remedies. The company will continue to constructively engage with the CMA and their review.
With the commencement of a Phase 2 review, the company now expects to close the transaction in mid-to-late 2022. This timeline may be subject to change. To see the additional details regarding the transaction, visit https://investor.nortonlifelock.com/Offer-for-Avast .
About NortonLifeLock Inc. NortonLifeLock Inc. (NASDAQ: NLOK) is a global leader in consumer Cyber Safety, protecting and empowering people to live their digital lives safely. We are the consumer's trusted ally in an increasingly complex and connected world. Learn more about how we're transforming Cyber Safety at www.nortonlifelock.com .
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as "anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "goal", "believe", "aim", "will", "may", "would", "could" or "should" or other words of similar meaning or the negative thereof. There are many factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Such factors include the possibility that the merger will not be completed on a timely basis or at all, whether due to the failure to satisfy the conditions of the merger (including approvals or clearances from regulatory and other agencies and bodies) or otherwise. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in the Risk Factors sections of NortonLifeLock's most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, the contents of which are not incorporated by reference into, nor do they form part of, this press release. By their nature, these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, as well as uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. No assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct and persons reading this press release are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as at the date of this press release. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to NortonLifeLock, Avast or any persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. NortonLifeLock does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rules.
Restricted Jurisdictions| Copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the merger are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any jurisdiction where local laws or regulations may result in a significant risk of legal or regulatory exposure if information concerning the merger were made available in that jurisdiction, or if details regarding any election that may be made in connection with the merger is or were extended or made available in that jurisdiction, or where to do so would result in a requirement to comply with any governmental or other consent or any registration, filing or other formality which NortonLifeLock or Avast regards as unduly onerous. Any persons receiving this announcement, or any such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees), must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in or into or from any such restricted jurisdiction.
No Offer or Solicitation the United States . No offer of securities shall be made in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements. Any securities issued as part of the merger are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act. The merger will be made solely by means of the scheme document published by Avast, or (if applicable) pursuant to an offer document to be published by NortonLifeLock, which (as applicable) would contain the full terms and conditions of the merger. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the merger, should be made only on the basis of the information contained in such document(s). If NortonLifeLock ultimately seeks to implement the merger by way of a takeover offer, that offer will be made in compliance with applicable US laws and regulations.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uk-competition-and-markets-authority-to-refer-merger-to-a-phase-2-review-301503816.html
SOURCE NortonLifeLock Inc.
