Cisco's $28 bln Splunk deal set for March 13 EU antitrust decision

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Cisco Systems Inc office in San Jose, California
A sign bearing the logo for communications and security tech giant Cisco Systems Inc is seen outside one of its offices in San Jose, California, U.S. August 11, 2022. REUTERS/Paresh Dave/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
BRUSSELS, Feb 8 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators have set a March 13 deadline to decide whether to clear Cisco Systems' (CSCO.O), opens new tab $28 billion bid for cybersecurity firm Splunk (SPLK.O), opens new tab, according to a European Commission filing.
The technology deal, which was the biggest of last year, will help to reduce Cisco's reliance on its networking equipment business, which has faced supply chain issues and slowing demand in the post-pandemic period.
The EU competition watchdog can clear the deal with or without remedies after its preliminary review or it can open a full-scale investigation as the next step if it has serious concerns.
Antitrust regulators, worried about large players strengthening their market power at the expense of smaller or new rivals, have taken a tough line on tech mergers.
San Jose, California-based Cisco already has a data-security partnership with Splunk, which counts Coca-Cola (KO.N), opens new tab, Intel (INTC.O), opens new tab and Porsche among its more than 15,000 customers.

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Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Barbara Lewis

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An agenda-setting and market-moving journalist, Foo Yun Chee is a 20-year veteran at Reuters. Her stories on high profile mergers have pushed up the European telecoms index, lifted companies' shares and helped investors decide on their move. Her knowledge and experience of European antitrust laws and developments helped her broke stories on Microsoft, Google, Amazon, numerous market-moving mergers and antitrust investigations. She has previously reported on Greek politics and companies, when Greece's entry into the eurozone meant it punched above its weight on the international stage, as well as Dutch corporate giants and the quirks of Dutch society and culture that never fail to charm readers.

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