More Data Sought in JDS Uniphase, E-Tek Merger

U.S. antitrust regulators have asked JDS Uniphase Corp. and E-Tek Dynamics Inc. for more information on their proposed stock swap, which was valued at about $15 billion.

Ottawa-based JDS, the world’s largest supplier of components for fiber-optic networks, and E-Tek said they had received a request Friday for additional information and other documents on their proposed merger from the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Justice Department under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

“JDS Uniphase and E-Tek intend to respond promptly and fully to the government requests, which are not unusual in a merger of this size that involves new, rapidly changing and important technologies,” the companies said in a joint statement.

JDS and E-Tek said they still expect to complete the merger in the second quarter of this year as indicated on Jan. 17 when they unveiled the plan. JDS will exchange 2.2 shares for each E-Tek share. The ratio was adjusted to reflect a two-for-one stock split on March 10.