R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co. said it has been told by the Federal Trade Commission that the agency’s investigation of the Chicago-based company’s proposed acquisition of Bowne & Co. has been closed and that it plans no further action.

The companies say they soon expect to complete the $481 million deal, which was announced in February.

Donnelley is a communications company founded 146 years ago. Based in New York, Bowne’s business lines include preparing and filing regulatory and shareholder communications online and in print.

byerak@tribune.com