DOJ Allows Compass-Anywhere Deal After Overruling Staff

Compass Inc. closed its acquisition of its largest rival, Anywhere Real Estate Inc., after Justice Department leadership overruled staff concerns that the deal could hurt competition in the real estate market, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Justice Department’s antitrust staff had recommended an in-depth investigation of the proposed combination of the two largest residential brokerages in the US, but were blocked by senior Trump administration officials, according to the people, who asked not to be named discussing a confidential matter.