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When Vertical is Horizontal: How Vertical Mergers Lead to Increases in “Effective Concentration”

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  • Serge Moresi

    (Charles River Associates)

  • Steven C. Salop

    (Georgetown University Law Center)

Abstract

This article explains the inherent loss of an indirect competitor and reduction in competition when a vertical merger raises input foreclosure concerns. We then calculate a measure of the effective increase in the HHI measure of concentration for the downstream market, and we refer to this “proxy” measure as the “dHHI.” We derive the dHHI measure by comparing the pricing incentives and associated upward pricing pressure (“UPP”) that are involved in two alternative types of acquisitions: (1) vertical mergers that raise unilateral input foreclosure concerns (and the associated vertical GUPPI measures); and (2) horizontal acquisitions of partial ownership interests among competitors that raise unilateral effects concerns (and the associated modified GUPPI and modified HHI measures). This dHHI measure can be a useful tool for vertical merger analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Serge Moresi & Steven C. Salop, 2021. "When Vertical is Horizontal: How Vertical Mergers Lead to Increases in “Effective Concentration”," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 59(2), pages 177-204, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:revind:v:59:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s11151-021-09827-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11151-021-09827-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Normann, Hans-Theo, 2009. "Vertical integration, raising rivals' costs and upstream collusion," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 461-480, May.
    2. Biancini, Sara & Ettinger, David, 2017. "Vertical integration and downstream collusion," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 99-113.
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    7. Volker Nocke & Lucy White, 2007. "Do Vertical Mergers Facilitate Upstream Collusion?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 97(4), pages 1321-1339, September.
    8. Hausman, Jerry & Moresi, Serge & Rainey, Mark, 2011. "Unilateral effects of mergers with general linear demand," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 111(2), pages 119-121, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. William P. Rogerson, 2021. "The Upstream Pass-Through Rate, Bargaining Power and the Magnitude of the Raising Rivals’ Costs (RRC) Effect," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 59(2), pages 205-227, September.
    2. Federico Etro, 2023. "Hybrid Marketplaces with Free Entry of Sellers," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 62(2), pages 119-148, March.
    3. Javier D. Donna & Pedro Pereira, 2024. "Structural Presumptions for Non-horizontal Mergers in the 2023 Merger Guidelines: A Primer and a Path Forward," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 65(1), pages 303-345, August.
    4. Steven C. Salop, 2024. "The 2023 Merger Guidelines: A Post-Chicago and Neo-Brandeisian Integration," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 65(1), pages 79-128, August.
    5. Richard J. Gilbert & A. Douglas Melamed, 2024. "Potential Competition and the 2023 Merger Guidelines," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 65(1), pages 269-302, August.
    6. Nicolas Pasquier, 2024. "Decentralization and Consumer Welfare with Substitutes or Complements," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 64(3), pages 449-469, May.

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