Bottom line: China’s anti-trust regulator is moving cautiously in approving the Marriott-Starwood merger because it involves 2 major global brands with a big presence in the high end of the market, but will ultimately approve the deal.
China is once again creating problems for an offshore M&A deal that would create the world’s largest hotel company, with word that it’s extending an anti-trust review period for the landmark merger of US hotel giants Marriott (NYSE: MAR) and Starwood (NYSE: HOT). Industry watchers got some brief entertainment earlier this year when Chinese insurer Anbang sparked a bidding war with its surprising offer for Starwood, operator of the Sheraton and Westin brands that had already agreed to be acquired by Marriott. Anbang later dropped that bid, but now more delays are coming from China, where the anti-trust regulator says it needs more time to review the deal. Read Full Post…
