The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Divisionof the U.S. Department of Justice granted regulatory clearance to and 's proposed cash-and-stocktransaction.

According to a July 11 news release, the early terminationof the waiting period was granted under the Hart-Scott-Rodino AntitrustImprovements Act relating to the proposed acquisition. The deal, however, remainssubject to other customary closing conditions, including the approval by thecompanies' stockholders.

The deal is expected to close in the third quarter.