Does Merger Simulation Work? Evidence from the Swedish Analgesics Market

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Year: 2016
Volume: 8
Issue: 3
Pages: 125-64

Authors (2)

Jonas Björnerstedt (not in RePEc) Frank Verboven (KU Leuven)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We analyze a large merger in the Swedish market for analgesics (painkillers). The merging firms raised prices by 40 percent, and some outsiders raised prices by more than 10 percent. We confront these changes with predictions from a merger simulation model. With basic supply side assumptions, the models correctly or moderately underpredict the merging firms' price increase. However, they predict a larger price increase for the smaller firm, which was not the case in practice, and they underpredict the outsiders' responses. We consider several supply side explanations: a plausible cost increase after the merger and the possibility of partial collusion.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejapp:v:8:y:2016:i:3:p:125-64
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29