Cornerstone Research Experts in Focus: FTC Withdrawal from U.S. Vertical Merger Guidelines

In September 2021, the Federal Trade commission decided to unilaterally withdraw from the U.S. Vertical Merger Guidelines just a year after they were jointly issued by the FTC and DOJ. This podcast brings together former economic leaders of the FTC and DOJ to provide their insights into the FTC’s decision and the future of vertical merger analysis. Aviv Nevo of the University of Pennsylvania and Andrew Sweeting of the University of Maryland join Bob Majure of Cornerstone Research to discuss:

• Are efficiencies as important to vertical merger analysis as the guidelines suggested?
• Is there an economic consensus in this area and how can that be better reflected in guidelines?
• What are some areas of potential concern and of opportunity for any new version of the guidelines?