The U.S. grocery industry witnessed a significant development with the proposed merger of two of its largest players: Kroger and Albertsons. Announced in October 2022, this merger aims to create a powerhouse capable of competing with giants like Walmart and Amazon. (Phil Lempert, Forbes). However, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) pursued legal action to block Kroger's bid for Albertsons, citing concerns over potential harm to competition, which could lead to higher prices and lower wages. (Georgetown University). This article explores the FTC's challenge to the Kroger-Albertsons merger, detailing the FTC's competition concerns, Kroger’s perspective on the matter, strategic store divestitures, and the potential effects on the grocery industry and consumers.
Read MoreDo the new SPAC regulations mean the end of SPAC IPOs? It sure seems that way. Earlier this year, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted new regulations to enhance disclosures and provide additional investor protections in initial public offerings (“IPO”) by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (“SPAC”) and in subsequent business combination transactions between SPACs and target companies (“de-SPAC transactions”). (SEC; U.S. National Archives and Records Administration: Federal Register). The new SPAC regulations, which will go into effect on July 1, 2024, are designed to close many of the loopholes that allowed companies to “go public” through SPAC and de-SPAC transactions without the time, cost, and reporting requirements of traditional IPOs. (SEC; Brian Breheny et al., Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP). This article provides a high-level overview of what led to the SPAC craze from 2019-2022, why the SEC adopted new SPAC regulations, and a prediction on the future of SPACs.
Read MoreIn 2023, the threat of cyberattacks continued to escalate. (Kim Nash, Wall Street Journal). Reports of cyberattacks, such as the cyberattack on Cisco IOS XE devices, dominated the news cycle. (Kyle Alspach, CRN). In response, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) implemented new regulations which heightened disclosure requirements for corporate cybercrime risk management. (James Rundle, Wall Street Journal). As of December 15, 2023, the SEC is requiring companies to disclose management of cyber risk in their annual reports, also known as 10-Ks. Id. Additionally, companies must report significant cyberattacks to the SEC in a Form 8-K within four calendar days of discovering a “material” cyberattack. (James Rundle, Wall Street Journal). Federal case law has defined “material” as any potential harm that has a “substantial likelihood” that an investor thinks would have “significantly altered” the information made available. (Kate Azevedo, Bloomberg Law). Ultimately, the SEC’s new requirements for company disclosures on cybersecurity represent an outstanding strategy to enhance companies’ awareness and readiness against cybercrime.
Read MoreIn a financial world where every move seems to echo with the clink of coins and the rustle of bills, a seismic shift has rocked the securities market. On February 6, 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted two new rules with a 3-2 vote along party lines. (SEC; Sidley). These rules aim to further define what it means to be a “dealer” and “government securities dealer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Id. The regulatory scheme requires implicated market participants to register with the SEC as “dealers” and conform to various regulatory requirements. Id. Despite the SEC’s good-faith attempt to curtail de facto market makers and promote fairness among market participants, the new rules have been met with harsh criticisms due to their various impracticalities. (Fluhr, et al., DLA Piper; SEC).
Read MoreIn 2023 alone, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has pursued investigations of insider trading involving over sixty parties. (SEC Division of Enforcement Summary). Despite the growth of insider trading prosecution, the rules for insider trading and conflicts of interest remain only loosely enforced for members of Congress (Alicia Parlapiano et al., New York Times). This is problematic because members of Congress are routinely exposed to nonpublic information that can impact stock prices. (Id.). In fact, their trading activities as a whole remain largely unchecked as the existing framework to enforce insider trading and conflicts of interest in Congress is ineffective. (DeChalus et. al., Business Insider) In response, several bills were introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives. (Congress.gov). Seventeen different bills were introduced in 2023, and one has already been introduced in 2024. Id. The most comprehensive and notable bills were introduced by Senator Kristin Gillibrand and Representative Katie Porter. (S. 2463, H.R. 6842). These bills (the “Bills”) seek to enhance the “trading bans and disclosure requirements for Congress, senior executive branch officials, and their spouses and dependents.” (S. 2463) Like the numerous other bills introduced in the past few years, the Bills are in the early phases and face an uphill battle to adoption. (Congress.gov).
Read MoreExecutive branch administrative agencies in the U.S. are facing increasing scrutiny and opposition. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently grappling with constitutional challenges to administrative agencies powers and procedures through landmark cases Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, No. 22-451 (U.S. May 1, 2023) and SEC v. Jarkesy, No. 22-859 (U.S. Oct. 30, 2023). These cases reflect the ongoing debates regarding the scope and limits of administrative power in the U.S. This article delves into the cases of Loper Bright and Jarkesy and illustrates how challenges to the current power exercised by administrative agencies may impact the regulatory landscape for public companies, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and market integrity.
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