Agenda Archive | Page 2 of 63

Practical guidance on the new state aid rules on public recapitalisations

May 2020

Under specific conditions, member states can provide aid in the form of subordinated debt, hybrid capital and equity in line with state aid rules to companies facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How quickly will customers revert to pre-pandemic behaviour?

May 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed societies across the world, as governments, businesses and individuals respond to the crisis. Customer behaviour has changed both rapidly and radically, as we adapt to the new circumstances and adopt new ways of living and working.

COVID-19: behavioural economics in the spotlight

May 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is by definition a global problem. Nonetheless, different countries have adopted different solutions, with varying degrees of success.

Mergers and the failing-firm defence in the age of COVID-19: going out on a limb?

April 2020

The immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on merger activity is not yet clear. Increased uncertainty caused by the disruption may discourage transactions, although the currently lower market value of stocks may encourage the acquisitions of smaller, innovative start-ups,...

The rise of the cryptoexchange giants: what next for trading cryptocurrencies?

April 2020

Since the inception of Bitcoin over a decade ago, trading in cryptocurrencies has exploded. There are now thousands of cryptocurrencies and hundreds of cryptoexchanges to trade on. What is the secret of the few big cryptoexchanges, and is the high number of smaller cryptoexchanges sustainable? We look at the current landscape and competitive dynamics of the fast-evolving cryptoexchange market

Dynamic counterfactuals and merger control: the old, the new and the uncertain

April 2020

Recent merger cases have seen an increased interest in ‘dynamic’ counterfactuals, where the market would have become more competitive in the future in the absence of the merger. What are these recent developments, how can competition authorities take them into account, and how can advisers help to reduce the uncertainty for the merging parties?

Destination unknown: airport regulation in the wake of COVID-19

April 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on public health, and significant and far-reaching effects across most sectors of the economy. Given the current global travel restrictions, with most of the world’s population living in countries with some form of travel ban or restriction, aviation has been one of the most dramatically affected sectors. What long-term effects will this have on the sector, and what are the implications for economic regulation?

Five things to do with HS2

April 2020

The UK government has given its Notice to Proceed with the first phase of a new high-speed, high-frequency railway line between north-east London and Birmingham. It has also updated the business case for this phase. Following Oxera’s work on the Oakervee Review—which led to the decision to go ahead with the line—we review the economic case, and recommend how the evidence base might be improved.

The coronavirus, markets and public policy: challenges and impacts

April 2020

At a time when confinement—strict, and soon perhaps even stricter—is still the order of the day in most countries, it is certainly premature to start drawing lessons and conclusions from the current coronavirus crisis.

Three reasons to be positive

April 2020

The impact of COVID-19 is unprecedented in modern times. The virus is more virulent than seasonal flu and a vaccine is not yet available. It is putting immense pressure on our health systems. Read more.

PR19 Redeterminations: Companies’ Statements of Case – Cost allowance

April 2020

Following Ofwat’s 2019 price review of water companies, four companies have appealed to the CMA for a redetermination of PR19. Each company has submitted its Statement of Case (SoC), which outlines its disagreements with Ofwat’s methodology and findings. An...

PR19 Redeterminations: Companies’ Statements of Case

April 2020

Following Ofwat’s 2019 price review of water companies (PR19), four companies have appealed to the CMA for a redetermination. Each company has submitted its Statement of Case (SoC), which outlines its disagreements with Ofwat’s methodology and findings. An important...