Antitrust market definition can be a crucial component of antitrust analysis which involves identifying a relevant market within which the impact of alleged anticompetitive conduct is assessed. A relevant market can be described in several ways, including as a set of products or services which—were a firm to have a monopoly over them—the firm could use the alleged conduct to successfully elevate prices and/or lower quality in a way which harms consumers. Relevant market analysis typically involves consideration of which products are viewed as substitutes, both in terms of characteristics and geographic area.

Defining the relevant market is often central to an antitrust case, as well as in merger and acquisition investigations. When there is a need for product market definition and/or geographic market definition, it is crucial to rely on an experienced economist. Clients rely on Econ One’s antitrust experts for their ability to define relevant markets for the purposes of antitrust analysis. Our experts provide comprehensive expert reports and expert testimony before courts and regulatory agencies.

Defining a relevant market can help determine the boundaries within which firms compete and assess the impact of anticompetitive conduct, mergers, or acquisitions. Econ One economists and consultants have experience defining markets using such as the hypothetical monopolist test or SSNIP test (small but significant and non-transitory increase in price). This includes staying abreast of the latest developments, such as the recently revised DOJ/FTC Merger Guidelines. Econ One’s deep understanding of economic theory, paired with the capability to analyze large amounts of data, results in Econ One being a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of market definition.