After EU approval, UK approves HPE’s $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks

Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s (HPE) planned $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks is one step closer to completion, with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirming the deal will not be subject to further review.

The CMA has not yet published its full findings, but has updated its case page to note that it has “approved the proposed acquisition of Juniper Networks by Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company”.

The news comes about two months after the CMA launched an initial investigation into the proposed merger and invited comments from relevant stakeholders. The body set a deadline of 3 July, after which it had until 14 August to decide whether to proceed with a more detailed investigation.

The U.K. has shown good form in blocking megabuck acquisitions in recent times, most notably by putting a stop to Microsoft’s $68.7 billion purchase of Activision last year, forcing the companies to make concessions to get the deal done. But the EU approved the HPE-Juniper deal last week on the basis that it was a strong enough sector, which was a good indication of what the U.K. would do.

Barring last-minute intervention by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the merger has already cleared major regulatory hurdles and is on track to meet HPE’s expected closing date, which the company says is “early 2025” at the latest.