Author: 21st Century Competition

UK: FCA overhauls annuities market study following reforms (Competition Policy International)

While the UK’s financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, had planned a major inquiry into the annuities market, reports say the watchdog has rethought its market probe after government reforms took hold.

According to reports, the FCA sought to review the annuities industry, with plans for the market inquiry announced last …read more

US: Family Dollar adopts poison pill as Dollar General buyout looms (Competition Policy International)

Budget-friendly retail giant Family Dollar has reportedly adopted a so-called poison pill to protect itself against hostile takeovers as activist investor Carl Icahn considers pushing for a merger with rival Dollar General.

Reports say Family Dollar adopted the plan, which allows the company to dilute shares of investors if they exceed …read more

Austria: Carlos Slim to collaborate with government on Telekom Austria (Competition Policy International)

Austrian media are reporting that Mexico communications mogul Carlos Slim has struck an agreement with Austrian government officials to pool their stakes in Telekom Austria.

The nation’s Federal Competition Agency has reportedly approved of the collaboration that will see the parties hold a combined 55 percent stake in the wireless operator …read more

US/Australia: Startup can proceed with Apple eBooks price-fixing suit (Competition Policy International)

US District Judge Denise Cote has denied appeals by Apple and five publishers looking to fight a lawsuit filed by Australian startup company SNAML last September against the alleged eBooks price-fixing scheme of the defendants.

Apple and five publishers – Hachette, HarperColins, Macmillan, Penguin and Simon & Schuster – were sued …read more