preparatory transaction prior to acquisition

source:

IBA - Working Group on the application of the EC Merger Control ...
www.ibanet.org/.../Working_Group_on_the_application_of_the_... -
Approximately 300 transactions which are notified to the European Commission .... of carrying out ***preparatory transactions prior to the concentration, and even the acquisition*** of minority shares prior to the acquisition of control, ...

A key element of the pre-acquisition transaction process is the financial due diligence. We work with our clients to co-develop a scope of investigation to meet with their requirements. Execution of the investigation is carried out by a team of industry-focused professionals with the requisite transaction and industry knowledge to identify the hidden value and risk in the proposed transaction

Section 7(2) sentence 2 of the VAG reads:

"Bei Termingeschäften und Geschäften mit Optionen und ähnlichen Finanzinstrumenten ist ein solcher Zusammenhang anzunehmen, wenn sie der Absicherung gegen Kurs- oder Zinsänderungsrisiken bei vorhandenen Vermögenswerten oder dem späteren Erwerb von Wertpapieren dienen sollen oder wenn aus vorhandenen Wertpapieren ein zusätzlicher Ertrag erzielt werden soll, ohne daß bei Erfüllung von Lieferverpflichtungen eine Unterdeckung des gebundenen Vermögens eintreten kann."

Your phrase refers to the "... oder dem späteren Erwerb von Wertpapieren" bit. In accounting English, these would be called "hedges of highly probable forecast transactions", but German insurance law takes a slightly different tack and uses rather different terminology, which should be reflected in the English translation.

As so often, referring to primary sources generally offers the best solution to terminology questions.