LONDON--Pearson PLC (PSON.LN) said Thursday it was notified by
the U.S. Department of Justice that it has closed its investigation
into the proposed merger of Penguin and Random House, without
conditions, and added that the transaction is still expected to
close in the second half of this year.
MAIN FACTS:
-Following completion, Bertelsmann will own 53% and Pearson 47%
of Penguin Random House, which will encompass all of Random House
and Penguin Group's publishing units in the U.S., Canada, the U.K.,
Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa, as well as
Penguin's operations in China and Random House's publishers in
Spain and Latin America.
-Pearson shares closed Thursday at 1207 pence valuing the
company at GBP9.9 billion.
-Write to Ed Ballard at ed.ballard@dowjones.com
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