04:38 AM EST, 12/16/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Preqin's response in the last paragraph.)

BlackRock's ( BLK ) proposed acquisition of Preqin is being looked into by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority, the regulator said Friday, as it launched the first phase of an inquiry into the potential transaction.

The regulator said an invitation to comment on the proposed merger and its possible antitrust implications closes on Dec. 17 and the deadline for a decision on whether to proceed to a second phase of the probe has been set for Feb. 12 next year.

Preqin declined to comment. BlackRock ( BLK ) did not reply to MT Newswires' request for comment.