It seems that each week, self-proclaimed trustbusters on Capitol Hill line up to attack big tech for alleged antitrust violations. Back in the firing line this week is Amazon after the company announced it was purchasing Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios for $8.45 billion. If the deal goes ahead, it would be the “second-largest acquisition in Amazon’s […]
merger
ACI Joins Coaltion Letter to Congress
Today, ACI joined a coalition of think tanks calling for approval of the T-Mobile/Sprint merger. The letter finds the transaction would increase competition, thereby producing consumer benefits. The letter is available online.
DOJ’s Appeal Belongs on HissyFit.Rant
DOJ submitted an appeal of the AT&T-Time Warner merger approved by Judge Leon of the US District Court for the DC Circuit. The submission asks the appeals court to reverse Judge Leon on the basis that he could not have understood DOJ’s arguments, otherwise he would not have approved the merger. DOJ claims the intellectual high […]
Forbes: AT&T Merger — Let Consumers Choose
Many observers welcome AT&T’s proposed merger. A few do not, including the Department of Justice (DOJ). This Forbes commentary tells why the DOJ should just let consumers choose among market rivals and content.
Three Cheers for Amazon’s Purchase of Whole Foods
Walmart’s income statement for 2016 showed $486 billion in sales through its 11,695 stores, clubs and affiliates. Costco’s 2016 income statement showed $119 billion in sales through 715 warehouses. Kroger’s 2016 sales were $115 billion through almost 4,000 stores. The merged Amazon and Whole Foods grocery sales for 2017 are estimated at $151 billion through […]
ACI in Real Clear Markets: Time Warner Deal is Good for Consumers and Innovation
Mergers often raise antitrust concerns. This is particularly the case when direct competitors combine to form a much larger company – referred to as a horizontal merger. Because these sorts of mergers eliminate competitors and consumer choice, they can lead to a significant increase in market concentration and pose anticompetitive risks. At its core, regulatory […]
Mergers and Consumer Interests
Keeping pace with the onslaught of new technology has always been a battle for old-wave telecom companies. Recently, it seems mergers and acquisitions have been the primary weapon in the fight to stay relevant. That certainly seems to be the case for AT&T, as they took a (proposed) giant leap forward in their offerings on […]
ACI Quoted in TR Daily Regarding Wireless Merger
The quote was in Monday (7/8/2013) night’s TR Daily article — FCC Approves SoftBank-Sprint-Clearwire Deals. Here is the full quote: Steve Pociask of the American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research commented, “the FCC’s approval of the merging of Softbank, Sprint, and Clearwire is a testament of the highly competitive nature of the wireless industry and […]
The “Plane” Truth about Bankruptcies and Mergers
American Airlines, one of the United States’ proudest and most recognized brands, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2011. Seeing an opportunity to consolidate the industry and expand its footprint, US Airways has targeted the ailing airline for acquisition. Exploiting American’s compromised position, US Airways has already forged contract agreements with three of […]
ACI Dispointed With FTC Decision, Urgers Legal Action
ACI Urges Legal Action to Block Mega-PBM Merger Says ESI/Medco Merger Will Increase Health Care Costs and Reduce Competition WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research (ACI) today expressed disappointment in the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) decision not to block the merger between Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI) and Medco Health Solutions […]