Author: 21st Century Competition

US: Priceline cleared for OpenTable buy (Competition Policy International)

The Federal Trade Commission has reportedly given approval for travel booking website Priceline to acquire restaurant reservation service OpenTable.

According to reports, the waiting period under the HSR act terminated this week, effectively allowing Priceline to move forward with the deal without any regulatory challenge.

The transaction still needs to satisfy certain …read more

UK: Wholesale financial markets get in-depth probe (Competition Policy International)

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority announced plans of an “exploratory” probe of the wholesale financial market as the watchdog responds to criticism that a lack of competition in the industry is harming consumers.

The head of competition at the FCA, Mary Starks, announced the review Wednesday at a meeting of the …read more

Germany: Government told to let go of Commerzbank stake (Competition Policy International)

Germany’s Monopolies Commission has reportedly recommended the government to sell its shares in Commerzbank first acquired in the wake of the financial crisis as part of bailout efforts.

Reports say the head of government advising body the Monopolies Commission, Daniel Zimmer, presented a report and stated that “the monopoly commission actually …read more

US: Fuel group slams oil giants for anticompetitive market (Competition Policy International)

The Renewable Fuels Association released a report Tuesday that found reason to accuse the nation’s five largest oil companies are using anticompetitive tactics to limit consumer choice in the gasoline industry.

According to reports, the RFA found that gas giants Exxon, BP, ConocoPhillips, Shell and Chevron are using certain business practices …read more