Monster Close to Buying Rival Bang Energy For $362 Million (1)

Monster Beverage Corp. is closing in on a $362 million deal to acquire rival drink maker Bang Energy out of bankruptcy, but a regulatory review has put the tie-up in jeopardy, according to court papers.

Bang Energy maker Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc. said in a Wednesday court filing that the proposed sale to Monster is supported by its lenders and represents “the only viable path” to repaying its creditors in Chapter 11. The deal also includes a related settlement of litigation between the two companies.

Bang’s parent company said the transaction is being held up by a US Federal Trade ...