8-KOther Events

Salesforce, Inc. 8-K Report, Corporate Update (Feb 16, 2021)

Filed February 16, 2021For Securities:CRM

Summary

Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) has filed an 8-K to provide an update on its previously announced acquisition of Slack Technologies, Inc. The primary focus of this filing is the status of regulatory review, specifically concerning the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act. On February 16, 2021, both Salesforce and Slack received a "Second Request" from the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division. This signifies an in-depth antitrust review and extends the HSR waiting period until 30 days after substantial compliance with the request, unless otherwise agreed or terminated. Despite this regulatory hurdle, Salesforce maintains its expectation to complete the transaction during its fiscal quarter ending July 31, 2021. The company and Slack are cooperating fully with the DOJ's review. Investors should note that this "Second Request" indicates a more thorough examination than initially anticipated, which could potentially impact the closing timeline, though Salesforce has not altered its target completion date at this time. The filing also reiterates that the transaction is subject to various closing conditions and potential risks detailed in previous SEC filings, including the Form S-4 registration statement.

Key Highlights

  • 1Salesforce and Slack received a "Second Request" for additional information from the DOJ's Antitrust Division regarding the proposed merger, indicating an in-depth antitrust review.
  • 2The "Second Request" extends the HSR Act waiting period, meaning closing is contingent on the completion of this antitrust review.
  • 3Salesforce still anticipates closing the Slack acquisition during its fiscal quarter ending July 31, 2021.
  • 4Both companies are cooperating fully with the DOJ's review process.
  • 5The filing directs investors to previously filed documents (Form S-4, Prospectus, Proxy Statement) for comprehensive details on the transaction's risks, terms, and regulatory considerations.

Frequently Asked Questions

A "Second Request" from the DOJ signifies that the antitrust review of the proposed merger is moving beyond the initial waiting period and into a more comprehensive phase. This allows the DOJ to gather more detailed information and potentially conduct a deeper investigation into the competitive impact of the transaction. It typically extends the regulatory timeline for closing the deal.

Yes, the "Second Request" officially extends the HSR waiting period. While Salesforce maintains its target closing date of the fiscal quarter ending July 31, 2021, the duration and outcome of the DOJ's review will ultimately determine the actual closing date. The company and Slack are cooperating to address the DOJ's information needs.

This 8-K filing does not introduce new risks or change the deal terms. Instead, it serves as an update on the regulatory process. It reiterates that the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions and refers investors to previously filed documents (Form S-4, Prospectus, Proxy Statement) which contain detailed discussions of potential risks and uncertainties related to the merger and integration.

Salesforce continues to anticipate completing the acquisition of Slack during its fiscal quarter ending July 31, 2021. They are working to address the DOJ's information requests and remain committed to closing the transaction, subject to the satisfaction of all closing conditions.