Empirical Methods in Merger Analysis: Econometric Analysis of Pricing in FTC v. Staples

Orley Ashenfelter, David Ashmore, Jonathan Baker, Suzanne Gleason and Daniel Hosken

International Journal of the Economics of Business, 2006, vol. 13, issue 2, 265-279

Abstract: In 1997, the US Federal Trade Commission challenged the proposed merger of two office supply superstores, Staples and Office Depot in US District Court. Both the government and merging parties presented econometric studies examining the merger's likely impact on consumer pricing, predicting a price increase of 8.6% and 0.9% respectively. This article uses the extensive public record to provide a detailed discussion of the econometric models used in the case and to show how differences between the models led to the discrepancy between these estimates.

Keywords: Antitrust; Merger Review; Econometrics; Empirical Methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (21)

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DOI: 10.1080/13571510600784706

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