Despite a U.S. Federal Trade Commission's "second request" for information regarding the takeover, INA Holding's acquisition of FAG Kugelfischer is assured. The merger will create the world's second-largest bearing manufacturer.

Insiders report INA has acquired at least 75%, perhaps as much as 90%, of FAG's outstanding shares. INA has long indicated it must acquire at least 75% of the shares in order to go ahead with the takeover.

INA is expected to publicly release its total current holdings no later than October 29, and possibly as early as tomorrow.

If it has indeed acquired anything between 75% and 90%, the announcement would put to rest criticisms and second-guessing which have run through the German business media. Many analysts believe INA's share acquisition still did not move as smoothly as expected. And it may be difficult for INA to convince individual FAG shareholders to sell at a price that, for many, is an investment loss.