1. UBS AG 2. 360 ONE Prime Limited 3. 360 ONE Portfolio Managers Limited 4. 360 ONE Distribution Services Limited — Combination C-2025/05/1289
- Case No.C-2025/05/1289
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
Where a proposed combination produces horizontal overlaps and vertical linkages in which the combined presence or increment is insignificant, and each overlapping area is characterised by other significant competitors, the Commission may conclude that the combination is not likely to change competition dynamics in any plausible relevant market. In such a case it need not determine the precise relevant market(s). A combination is approved under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002 where, on assessment against the factors in Section 20(4), the Commission is of the opinion that it is not likely to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
Notice under Section 6(2) of the Competition Act, 2002 given by UBS AG, 360 ONE Prime Limited, 360 ONE Portfolio Managers Limited, and 360 ONE Distribution Services Limited
CORAM: Ms. Ravneet Kaur Chairperson
Mr. Anil Agrawal Member
Ms. Sweta Kakkad Member
Mr. Deepak Anurag Member
Order under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002
1. On 22nd May 2025, the Competition Commission of India (Commission) received a Notice under Section 6(2) of the Competition Act, 2002 (Act) given by UBS AG, 360 ONE Prime Limited (360 Prime), 360 ONE Portfolio Managers Limited (360 Portfolio), and 360 ONE Distribution Services Limited (360 Distribution) [hereinafter 360 Prime, 360 Portfolio and 360 Distribution are collectively referred to as ‘360 Acquirers’ and UBS AG and 360 Acquirers are collectively referred to as the ‘Notifying Parties’].
2. The Notice was filed pursuant to the execution of, inter alia, (i) Securities Subscription Agreement (SSA) executed on 22nd April 2025 between 360 ONE WAM Limited (360 OWL) and UBS AG, (ii) Business Transfer Agreement (BTA-PMS) executed on 22nd April 2025 amongst Credit Suisse Securities (India) Private Limited (CS Securities), 360 Portfolio, and UBS AG, (iii) Business Transfer Agreement (BTA-SB) executed on 22nd
Combination Registration Number: C-2025/05/1289
April 2025 amongst CS Securities, 360 Distribution, and UBS AG, and (iv) Transfer and Assignment Agreement (TAA-NBFC) executed on 22nd April 2025 amongst UBS Finance India Private Limited (UBS Finance), 360 Prime and UBS AG.
3. The proposed combination involves acquisition of certain businesses carried on by CS Securities and UBS Finance (subsidiaries of UBS AG) by 360 Acquirers and subscription to certain subscription warrants of 360 OWL by UBS AG. It comprises the following transactions: a. 360 OWL shall issue and allot to UBS AG on a preferential allotment basis, and UBS AG shall subscribe to subscription warrants of 360 OWL (constituting up to ~ 4.95% of the paid-up share capital of 360 OWL) in accordance with the SSA (Warrant Subscription). b. CS Securities shall transfer its business of provision of portfolio management services (PMS Business), business of provision of stock broking services and financial product distribution services (SB Business), as a going concern on a slump sale basis, respectively, to 360 Portfolio in accordance with the BTA-PMS (PMS Business Transfer) and 360 Distribution in accordance with the BTA-SB (SB Business Transfer). c. UBS Finance shall transfer and assign its entire loan portfolio part of its lending and financing business undertaken as a systematically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company (NBFC Business) to 360 Prime in accordance with the TAA-NBFC (NBFC Loan Transfer). [PMS Business, SB Business and NBFC Business collectively constitute ‘Target Business’ and the Warrant Subscription, PMS Business Transfer, SB Business Transfer and NBFC Loan Transfer collectively comprise the ‘Proposed Combination’]
4. In terms of Regulation 14 of the Competition Commission of India (Combinations) Regulations, 2024 (Combinations Regulations), vide letter dated 3rd June 2025, certain information and clarifications were sought from the Notifying Parties. The Notifying Parties submitted their response on 10th June 2025.
5. UBS AG is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of UBS Group AG (UBS), the ultimate parent entity of the UBS group. UBS is a multinational investment bank and financial services
Combination Registration Number: C-2025/05/1289 company engaged in wealth management, investment banking, asset management and retail and corporate banking. In India, UBS is engaged in the areas of wealth management and investment banking.
6. 360 OWL is the ultimate parent entity of 360 ONE Group (360 ONE Group). 360 OWL is a wealth and asset management firm in India and, as stated, serves highly specialised and sophisticated needs of HNIs, Ultra HNIs and institutional clients through tailored wealth management solutions. The 360 Acquirers are wholly owned subsidiaries of 360 OWL and form part of the 360 ONE Group. • 360 Prime offers a broad suite of financial products such as loans against securities (LAS), loans against property, etc. to corporate and high net worth clients. • 360 Portfolio is engaged in the provision of asset management services, provision of services in relation to alternative investment funds (AIFs), and provision of PMS. It is also a registered investment manager in GIFT-IFSC and is a Registered Investment Advisor with United States Securities and Exchange Commission. • 360 Distribution is registered with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) for distribution of financial products and is registered with SEBI as a stockbroker and depository participant. 360 Distribution is currently providing manpower services to its group companies and carries on the business of stock broking and depository participant services along with the business of distribution of financial products.
7. For the purpose of competition assessment, the Commission considered the activities of 360 OWL and its affiliates (360 One Relevant Entities) on one hand and the Target Business on the other. Based on the information contained in the Notice, certain areas of horizontal overlaps and vertical linkages were observed. The horizontal overlaps were observed in the areas of: (i) Provision of PMS in India (PMS), (ii) Provision of brokerage services in India (Brokerage services), (iii) Distribution of MFs in India (MF Distribution), (iv) Distribution of PMS in India (PMS Distribution), (v) Distribution of AIFs in India (AIF Distribution), (vi) Provision of LAS in India and (vii) Provision of investment banking services in India (Investment Banking Services). The vertical linkages were observed in the areas of: (i) Provision of mutual funds and distribution of mutual funds, (ii) Provision of PMS and distribution of PMS, and (iii) Provision of AIFs and distribution of AIFs.
Combination Registration Number: C-2025/05/1289
8. The Commission noted the presence of 360 One Relevant Entities and the Target Business in each of the aforesaid areas of horizontal overlaps and vertical linkages and observed that the combined presence/increment resulting from the Proposed Combination is insignificant. Further, as observed, each of the aforesaid areas of horizontal overlaps/vertical linkages are characterised by presence of other significant competitors. Considering the same, the Proposed Combination is not likely to cause any change in competition dynamics of any plausible relevant market that could have been delineated and accordingly the question of exact delineation of relevant market(s) is left open.
9. Considering the material on record, including the details provided in the Notice and the assessment of the Proposed Combination based on the factors stated in Section 20(4) of the Act, the Commission is of the opinion that the Proposed Combination is not likely to have appreciable adverse effect on competition in India. Therefore, the Commission approves the Proposed Combination under Section 31(1) of the Act.
10. The order may be revoked if, at any time, the information provided by the Notifying Parties is found to be incorrect.
11. The information provided by the Notifying Parties shall be treated as confidential in terms of and subject to provisions of Section 57 of the Act.
12. The Secretary is directed to communicate to the Notifying Parties accordingly.
This page reproduces a public judgment and a summary of it. It is research material, not legal advice, and it is no substitute for advice from an advocate on your own facts.
Research this judgment with Miss Lucy
Ask what it holds, what has followed it, and what it means for your matter — in plain English, with the citations.
Try Miss Lucy free