Getty Images & Shutterstock Merger Receives Unconditional DOJ Antitrust Clearance

summarizeSummary

Getty Images and Shutterstock received unconditional antitrust clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice for their proposed merger, removing a significant regulatory hurdle.

check_boxKey Events

• Unconditional DOJ Clearance

  The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded its review of the proposed merger between Getty Images and Shutterstock Inc., granting unconditional antitrust clearance.

• Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Waiting Period Expired

  The applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act has expired without conditions, allowing the merger to proceed from a U.S. antitrust perspective.

• UK CMA Review Ongoing

  The merger remains subject to review by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which issued a mixed provisional decision on February 19, 2026. A final decision from the CMA is due by April 19, 2026.

auto_awesomeAnalysis

Getty Images Holdings, Inc. announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has concluded its review of the proposed merger with Shutterstock Inc. and granted unconditional antitrust clearance. This is a significant positive development, removing a major regulatory hurdle for the merger and de-risking the transaction. While the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) still has a pending review, the unconditional U.S. approval provides strong momentum and suggests the companies are closer to realizing the expected substantial synergies from the combination. Investors should monitor the upcoming CMA decision for full clarity on the merger's path.