The economics of merger appraisal: analysis of best practices

Abstract

The article briefly outlines key economic principles that are used for merger appraisal in Europe and the US. We consider three most typical cases: horizontal, vertical and conglomerate mergers. We explain the main positive and negative effects that typically arise in each case. We point that the analysis of structural factors (levels of industry concentration and market shares) and barriers to entry can serve only as a starting point of the merger appraisal process. Other indicators such as closeness of competition, countervailing buyer power and customer switching, counter-reactions of rivals, levels of profitability, cost savings are far more important for the analysis of merger effects on consumers and competition. In addition, we describe general economic principles with regards to merger remedies.