DOJ Approves Whirlpool/Maytag Merger

The DOJ will not challenge Whirlpool’s (much-blogged-about) proposed acquisition of Maytag (HT: WSJ Law Blog). This Reuters blurb suggests that antitrust experts believe the decision “is a key test of the Justice Department’s new antitrust chief and could provide a glimpse of how tough he will be in reviewing mergers” (HT: Antitrust Review). I’m skeptical that this decision says anything profound about the merger policy one can expect from the DOJ in the years to come. Of course, I anticipate that many will be willing to extrapolate a “hands-off” approach from this decision.