The FTC and Department of Justice's Approach to Antitrust

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The FTC and Department of Justice are trying to take a broader look at harm in the economy. Their goal is to push beyond the consumer welfare standard, which looks primarily at prices. Total deal value for all mergers in America are down about 40% on the previous five-year average. The most significant victory has been the DOJ's challenge to penguin random houses proposed takeover of Simon & Schuster.

This week’s court battle involving Microsoft and Activision, giants of tech and gaming, reflects a sea change under way in America’s trustbusting machinery; it may not go as far as the top competition cop might like. A boom in China’s post-pandemic economy now seems to be sputtering (11:29). And a paean to the Tayto crisp—cheese-and-onion flavour, naturally (18:29).

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