Oligopoly

Bayer Completes $63 Billion Monsanto Acquisition: Agricultural Seeds and Chemicals Consolidate Into Big Four Oligopoly

| Importance: 10/10

Bayer AG completed its $63 billion acquisition of Monsanto after receiving antitrust approval from U.S. and European regulators, consolidating the agricultural seeds and chemicals industry from the “Big Six” into a “Big Four” oligopoly controlling over 60% of global seed …

Bayer AG Monsanto Department of Justice Antitrust Division European Commission +1 more antitrust consolidation merger agriculture oligopoly +4 more
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American Airlines-US Airways Merger Creates Airline Oligopoly: Big Four Control 75% of Market

| Importance: 9/10

The Department of Justice approved American Airlines’ merger with US Airways after initially suing to block the deal, completing a five-year consolidation wave that reduced major U.S. airlines from seven to four dominant carriers controlling three-quarters of the commercial air travel market. …

American Airlines US Airways Department of Justice Antitrust Division antitrust consolidation merger oligopoly regulatory-capture +2 more
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Delta-Northwest Merger Approved: Beginning of Airline Industry Consolidation Wave

| Importance: 9/10

The Department of Justice approved Delta Air Lines’ $2.6 billion stock-swap merger with Northwest Airlines, creating the world’s largest airline and triggering a decade-long consolidation wave that would reduce major U.S. carriers from ten to four dominant players controlling …

Delta Air Lines Northwest Airlines Department of Justice Antitrust Division antitrust consolidation merger oligopoly regulatory-capture +2 more
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Boeing-McDonnell Douglas Merger Approved: Defense Contractor Consolidation Creates Oligopoly

| Importance: 10/10

The Federal Trade Commission approved Boeing’s $13.3 billion acquisition of McDonnell Douglas, completing a merger wave that reduced major U.S. defense contractors from 51 firms in the late 1980s to just five dominant primes by the late 1990s. The consolidation wave was actively encouraged by …

Boeing McDonnell Douglas Federal Trade Commission Department of Defense Les Aspin +1 more antitrust consolidation merger defense-contractors oligopoly +3 more
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