Microsoft stock slips as Germany antitrust regulator setting stage for investigation

Mar. 28, 2023 11:06 AM ETMicrosoft Corporation (MSFT)By: Chris Ciaccia, SA News Editor

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) shares slipped more than 1% in early trading on Tuesday as Germany's antitrust regulator said it had started looking into the tech giant's power.
In a statement, the Bundeskartellamt said it was looking into whether Microsoft (MSFT) should be labeled as "paramount significance for competition across markets."
If so, the regulator could wind up taking action against the Office and Xbox maker, Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt, said in the release.
The Bundeskartellamt said the decision to start a proceeding was just the first step and did not necessarily mean there would be a proceeding to assess specific practices. If the second step were to occur, the agency said it would be in consultation with the European Commission and "possibly other competition authorities."
Microsoft (MSFT) did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Seeking Alpha.
Separately on Tuesday, Japan's Fair Trade Commission said Microsoft's (MSFT) deal to buy Activision Blizzard would not harm competition in the country.