Activision shares fall after report of ‘likely’ FTC antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft acquisition

Activision Blizzard Inc.
ATVI,
+0.94%

Shares fell in after-hours trading Wednesday following a report that the Federal Trade Commission is likely to file an antitrust lawsuit to block Microsoft’s acquisition of video game publisher. Corp.
MSFT,
+1.04%
Politico reported late on Wednesday that FTC staff questioned the companies’ argument that the $69 billion acquisition would not give Microsoft an unfair advantage in the video game market, although the commissioners have not yet dropped out. vote on the case. Microsoft makes Xbox video game consoles, raising concerns that it will make some of Activision’s most popular games — such as the “Call of Duty” franchise — exclusive to its platform. , eliminating rival Sony Group Corp.
6758,
+1.97%

Playstation. A Microsoft spokesperson told Politico that the company is “ready to address concerns raised by regulators, including the FTC and Sony, to ensure the deal is signed with confidence.” Shares of Activision fell 4.5% in after-hours trading, while shares of Microsoft rose slightly.