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Date
Rule
Form Item 4
Staff
Michael Verne
Response/Comments
Agree. J Ferkingstad concurs.

Question

From:

(Redacted)

Sent:

Monday, June 11, 2012 2:11 PM

To:

Clark-Coleman, Sheila

Cc:

(Redacted)

Subject:

Request for Informal Ruling

SheilaClark-Coleman
Federal Trade Commission
Premerger Office:

Ms.Clark-Coleman:

Thankyou for speaking with us today. This email is to confirm our conversationregarding whether or not a certain document is an item 4 document for purposesof HSR.

Facts: The document in question was preparedby our client for a third party investment banker in order for the investmentbanker to give our client advice about a possible sales process of a certaindivision of our client. The company had investigated possible sales of thedivision on previous occasions unsuccessfully, and the purpose of the documentwas to give updated guidance to the investment bankers for further advice fromthe investment bankers on whether a sale might be possible. It was not until amonth later and unrelated to this document, that the acquiring personapproached the investment banker with respect to a possible acquisition. Thedocument itself does contain information about market share, but it contains noinformation about the eventual acquiring person or other competitors. Finally,the acquiring person was never given this document.

Conclusion: Confirming our conversation, youadvised that this document is not a 4(c) document because it does not relate tothe current or any other particular acquisition. It is, of course, also not a4(d) document because it was prepared by our client rather after than theinvestment banker. We would appreciate if you would confirm these conclusions. (Agree SC)

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