Shutterstock and Getty Images Receive Unconditional DOJ Antitrust Clearance for Merger

summarizeSummary

Shutterstock announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has concluded its review of the proposed merger with Getty Images, granting unconditional antitrust clearance and allowing the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act waiting period to expire.

check_boxKey Events

• Unconditional DOJ Clearance

  The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded its review of the proposed merger between Shutterstock and Getty Images, allowing the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act waiting period to expire without conditions.

• Significant Merger Progress

  This unconditional clearance marks a major step forward in the merger process, significantly increasing the probability of the transaction closing.

• UK CMA Review Ongoing

  The companies are still actively engaged with the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for its Phase 2 review, with a final decision expected by April 19, 2026. This follows a positive interim report from the CMA on February 19, 2026.

auto_awesomeAnalysis

This filing announces a critical milestone for the proposed merger of Shutterstock and Getty Images, as the U.S. Department of Justice has granted unconditional antitrust clearance. This removes a significant regulatory hurdle and increases the likelihood of the merger's completion. While the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) review is still ongoing, the DOJ's decision is a strong positive signal for the transaction, which is expected to generate substantial synergies. Investors should monitor the progress of the UK CMA review for the final regulatory outcome.