EU Regulators Set To Announce In-depth Probe Of TNT Express NV, United Parcel Service Merger-DJ

Dow Jones reported that European Union regulators will announce later Friday the opening of an in-depth probe into the planned acquisition of TNT Express NV by United Parcel Service. The opening of the second stage of the probe had been anticipated and means regulatory clearance, if granted, would now be given in the fourth quarter. The European Commission, the EU's antitrust watchdog, has signaled concerns about the deal and the market power the merged entity would have in Europe. The acquisition would reduce to three the number of big players in the European express delivery industry and give UPS-TNT a market share of nearly 40%, based on 2009 figures.