In this episode, experts dive into the novel approach of adding racketeering charges in private antitrust litigation. Initially used to bring down organized crime rings, claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) have appeared in plaintiffs' lawsuits in the LIBOR and broiler chicken price-fixing cases. Host Anant Raut and co-host Sam Randall of Sperling Kenny Nachtwalter talk to Christina Lopez of the California DOJ and Ryan Holt of Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison PLC on the challenges of arguing RICO violations in antitrust suits. Later, they discuss how this might apply to algorithmic pricing. With special guests: Christina Lopez, Deputy Attorney General, California Department of Justice and Ryan Holt, Member, Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, PLC Hosted by: Anant Raut and Sam Randall
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49:47
#40 Mergernomics: Diversion Analysis
In this latest episode of our wildly popular "Mergernomics" series, Ph.D. economist Dr. Joanna Tsai explains diversion analysis, an economic tool used by antitrust enforcers to examine how closely two companies compete and whether their merger will be bad for consumers. Host Anant Raut and co-host Carla Hine then dive into different types of diversion analysis, as well as some of the limitations of the test. With special guest: Joanna Tsai, Vice President, Cornerstone Research Related Links: The Role of Economic Analyses in Preparing for the First 30 Days of A Merger Review, Hosted by: Anant Raut and Carla Hine
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33:05
#39 Mergernomics: Merger Simulations
In the latest episode of our popular "Mergernomics" series, Ted Rosenbaum, Deputy Director in the Bureau of Economics at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, explains how enforcers apply merger simulations to predict market changes after a proposed merger, sometimes with unexpected results. Hosts Anant Raut and Virginie Caspard then dive into two enforcement actions (against the Aetna-Humana and Wilhelmsen-Drew mergers) where merger simulations were used, and later discuss whether merger simulations are as useful in analyzing non-price markets. With special guest: Ted Rosenbaum, Deputy Director, Bureau of Economics, U.S. Federal Trade Commission Hosted by: Anant Raut and Virginie Caspard
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21:22
#38 Mergernomics: Bargaining Leverage
In the latest episode in our popular "Mergernomics" series, Compass Lexecon's Hélder Vasconcelos tells you everything you need to know about bargaining leverage theory - how to calculate it, what it means, and when to use it. Hosts Anant Raut and Paula Camara discuss with Dr. Vasconcelos how merger enforcers applied this theory in their reviews of the AT&T/Time Warner and Fresenius/NxStage mergers, and differences between the US and European approaches. The panel also talks about the challenges and limitations of using bargaining leverage theory. With special guests: Paula Camara, Partner, Matthos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados and Helder Vasconcelos, Senior Vice President, Compass Lexecon Hosted by: Anant Raut
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37:59
#37 Mergernomics: Vertical Math
By now in our popular "Mergernomics" series you've learned how to calculate the potential harm from a horizontal merger; but how do you measure the risk from a vertical merger? In this episode, Cornerstone Research's Dr. Craig Malam tells you everything you need to know about "Vertical Math" analysis in merger review - how to calculate it, what it tells you, and when to use it. Hosts Anant Raut and Analysis Group's Emily Cotton use Microsoft's controversial acquisition of video game maker Activision to discuss with Dr. Malam how to assess the risks of total or partial foreclosure from a vertical merger and how to use this analytical tool in relation to other economic tests in this series. With special guests: Dr. Craig Malam, Principal, Cornerstone Research and Emily Cotton, Managing Principal, Analysis Group Hosted by: Anant Raut