EU regulators to rule on $2bln Energizer, Spectrum deal by Nov. 27

BRUSSELS - European Union antitrust regulators will rule by Nov. 27 whether to clear U.S. battery maker Energizer Holdings' $2-billion bid for Spectrum Brands' battery and portable lighting business.

The company, which makes Energizer and Eveready batteries, sought approval from the European Commission on Oct. 19, a filing on the EU competition regulator's website showed on Monday.

The Commission can approve the deal with or without demanding concessions or it can kick off a four-month long investigation if it has serious concerns.

Spectrum's brands include Varta consumer batteries and Rayovac hearing aid batteries. Regulatory authorities in the United States and Australia have approved the deal without conditions.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) ((foo.yunchee@thomsonreuters.com; +32 2 287 6844; Reuters Messaging: foo.yunchee.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))