Eurpean go-ahead for HP-EDS deal (at FT.com)

on Friday announced that its proposed $13.9bn acquisition of EDS, the world's biggest IT outsourcing group, had been approved by European Union antitrust authorities. The approval of the HP-EDS tie-up, which had been expected, came as HP also announced that it had settled a handful of lawsuits filed by EDS shareholders who were seeking a higher acquisition price. Under the terms of the settlement, HP agreed not to complete its acquisition prior to the close of the EDS's third quarter on August 18. That will allow EDS shareholders to receive a final 5 cent per share dividend in... [read full story]