The Australian Financial Review, without citing anyone, reported that Australia's national competition regulator is scheduled this week to rule on whether it will allow BHP Billiton Ltd's AUD 170 billion takeover bid for Rio Tinto Group.

It said that “The decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will be closely examined by the European Commission, which is also studying the transaction, while the South African antitrust regulator is also set to announce a decision this week.”

The Australian regulator last month said the merged company may have the ability to influence global supply and prices for iron ore, the Review said. Should the transaction be cleared in Australia without conditions it would be more difficult for the European Commission to request divestments in Australia, it said.