Hewlett Packard preparing for unconditional EU approval of $14 billion Juniper deal, sources say

By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is expected to win unconditional EU approval for its $14 billion takeover of networking equipment maker Juniper Networks, people familiar with the matter said.

HPE announced the deal in January, underscoring companies’ desire to modernize and develop new products amid the explosive growth of AI-based services.

The European Commission, which is due to decide on the deal by Aug. 1, declined to comment. HPE and Juniper did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

HPE had been expected to highlight the strength of market leader and Juniper rival Cisco in a bid to allay any possible competition concerns in the EU, other people with direct knowledge of the matter previously told Reuters.

The transaction is also being assessed by the UK’s antitrust authority, with a decision expected on 14 August.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Mark Potter)