Our Experience

Industries Petroleum Natural Gas Chemicals Electronics Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, & Biotech Retail/Consumer Goods Technology Transportation Local/State Government School Districts Other Industries

Functional Areas Antitrust & Competition Analysis of Damages Forensic Economics Intangibles/IP Labor Economics Regulatory Economics & Finance Transfer Pricing Taxation Valuation Fiscal Impact Analysis Demographic Analysis Public Policy Analysis

 

Antitrust and Competition

IIC, Inc. provides economic analysis and expert testimony in mergers and acquisitions, and we analyze liability and damages in matters involving claims of price fixing and collusion, monopolization, and other anticompetitive practices. Our capabilities are reflected in our rigorous arguments, economic analyses of complex data sets, and advanced modeling and statistical techniques used to assess competitive effects and estimate damages in litigation and merger proceedings. We present clear and focused findings, avoiding jargon and unnecessary technicalities. Where necessary we also identify and support academic expert witnesses.

Our consultants have testified in U.S. federal and state courts, before federal and state regulatory authorities, arbitration and mediation panels, and other judicial settings. Our expertise extends across numerous industries including agricultural products, chemicals, consumer goods, electric power, electronics, financial services, motorcycles, natural gas, office products, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, retail grocery, software, transportation, and waste transportation and disposal.

Anticompetitive Conduct Assessment — Gasoline Pricing

IIC, Inc. has provided expert analysis relating to the pricing of gasoline in several areas throughout the country to assist in the assessment of potential anticompetitive conduct. We have examined the wholesale and retail pricing of gasoline in California and other West Coast markets, in the Midwest, in the Northeast and in Florida in recent years. For this work we have defined the relevant product and geographic markets, analyzed pricing trends, and reviewed relevant company and third party documents. IIC, Inc. principals have testified before the U.S. Senate on these issues and have published reports on their findings.

Competitive Impacts of Mergers — Petroleum Industry

Principals at IIC, Inc. have provided assistance to both state and federal authorities to review and analyze the competitive impacts of various mergers in the petroleum industry. These mergers have ranged from Texaco-Getty, and Chevron-Gulf, to Exxon-Mobil, BP-ARCO and Conoco-Phillips. These analyses have focused on the downstream competitive implications of these mergers and in particular potential competitive constraints at the wholesale and refining levels of the market.

Pricing Practices — Computer Industry

In a class-action lawsuit regarding pricing practices and applicability of common proof to class participants, we developed a methodology and designed survey tools to collect information on the prices for Intel/Windows-compatible computers in several markets in New England. IIC, Inc. first defined the configuration of several typical desktop and laptop computers. We then conducted an extensive telephone and in-person survey of retailers and systems integrators in six different market areas within this area. Additionally, we collected data from telephone calls, on-site visits, and through Internet web sites regarding the price of Windows 98 software and upgrades. The results of the survey were used to support the written report of an economic expert who provided an affidavit as part of the lawsuit.

Effect of Antitrust Enforcement Activities — Small Businesses

In a recently completed study, IIC, Inc. analyzed the impact of antitrust enforcement activities on the entry, exit, and growth of small firms in various industries. We focused on the retail grocery and timber and pulp industries and found that antitrust enforcement activity has not been particularly beneficial to small firms in these industries. Other market trends and forces such as the entry of large, big box retailers in the grocery industry have had more far-reaching impacts than antitrust enforcement activity.

Pricing Behavior and Alleged Anticompetitive Activities — West Coast Petroleum Industry

In a lengthy litigation, IIC, Inc. analyzed the structure and behavior of several major oil companies in the West Coast petro­leum industry, focusing on pricing behavior and alleged anticompetitive activities in the crude oil production and refining segments of the busi­ness. We assisted in the assessment of the degree to which control of the transportation system by the majors influenced crude oil pricing behavior in this market area. We analyzed the crude pricing behavior of various refiners, traders, and others during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s to assess whether posted prices reflected market value and the role played by spot prices in determining market value. Also as part of this assignment we pre­pared expert analyses regarding the structure of pipeline mar­kets in California and their effect on pricing and on trends in spot prices.

Market Structure Analysis — Motorcycle Marketplace

IIC, Inc. conducted a detailed study of the business strategies of the leading manufacturers in the motor­cycle marketplace to test various hypotheses regarding the dramatic shift in market structure that occurred during the 1980s and the extent to which any anticompetitive conduct may have explained these shifts in market structure and performance. We analyzed trends in market growth, the effects of various gov­ernment policies, and the effects of various macro­economic effects on the changes in industry structure to determine whether possible anticompetitive conduct may have explained the decline of independent distributors in this market place.

Market Power and Foreclosed Entry — Waste Haulers

We analyzed the extent to which certain waste haulers and trash disposal companies may have been able to exercise market power and foreclose the entry of competing trash haulers. IIC, Inc. delivered definitive analyses regarding market definition, measurement of market shares, analysis of the record of entry, and review of alleged anticompetitive behavior in the relevant market to determine whether there was a strong possibility that specific waste haulers had been able to exercise market power.