The takeover of Avast PLC (LSE:AVST) has been postponed until early April, buyer NortonLifeLock Inc said, based on its current discussions with regulators.
The US company said in a statement that it has decided "it is appropriate to postpone the closing of the merger".
It said this was "given the ongoing discussions" with the UK Competition & Markets Authority and the equivalent authority in Spain, as well as the timing of the end of its fiscal year, the last day of which is 1 April.
As long as any regulatory requirements are satisfied or waived, NortonLifeLock said it now expects the court hearing to sanction the scheme on 1 April, when last dealings in Avast shares can take place, with the deal becoming effective on 4 April and new NortonLifeLock shares to be listed and begin dealings on NASDAQ the day after.