US: $48 billion Anthem-Cigna merger worries antitrust regulators

US antitrust regulators are concerned about health insurer Anthem’sproposed acquisition of Cigna and not sure the companies can offer enough concessions to maintain competition in the industry, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

Both companies have scheduled meetings this week with top US Department of Justice officials, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Some of the sources said the DOJ had not yet made a decision on whether to sue to block the deal.

Wall Street does not seem convinced the deal will go through, as evidenced in the wide spread between Anthem’s offer and Cigna’s share price. As of the market close on Friday, Cigna shares traded at a 32.5 percent discount to the offer, which has an equity value of about $44 billion.

Anthem announced plans to buy Cigna last summer. Also pending is Aetna’s acquisition of Humana which faces significant antitrust concern, as well. That deal is valued at about $34 billion.

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