CCI clears Coca-Cola's deal with Monster Beverages

Competition Commission has cleared Coca-Cola Company's proposed deal with US-based Monster Beverage Corp in the energy drinks market.
The deal involves Coca-Cola, its group firm European Refreshments, Monster and its subsidiary New Laser Corp (NewCo). Besides, NewCo's subsidiary New Laser Merger Corp is part of the proposed combination.
Clearing the proposed combination, that pertains to non- alcoholic beverages, the Commission said the deal is not likely to have an appreciable adverse impact on competition in the country.
Under the deal, Coca-Cola -- directly and through European Refreshments -- would acquire "one share less than 16.666 per cent of the common stock of NewCo".

Then, energy drinks and non-energy drinks portfolio would be re-organised between Coca-Cola and Monster. This would be done in such a way that NewCo would acquire energy drinks assets from Coca-Cola and some of its subsidiaries while Coca- Cola would buy some non-energy drinks assets from Monster.
Among others, New Laser Merger Corp would be merged with Monster.

In India, Coca-Cola has insignificant presence in the energy drink segment while Monster has minimal presence with some of its energy drink brands that are imported.
"The parties have insignificant presence in this (energy drinks) segment, in India. It is also observed that post combination, the vertical arrangements between the parties is not likely to result in the foreclosure of competition in view of their insignificant presence in the energy drink segment, in India," the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said in its order dated November 10.

US-based Monster Beverage Corp is mainly into the energy drink segment.