Jul 23, 2019

$1.4 billion printing merger canceled after U.S. antitrust objections

U.S. antitrust chief Makan Delrahim, after losing a lawsuit to block AT&T from buying Time Warner. Photo: Nicholas Kim/AFP/Getty Images

Chicago-based printing company Quad/Graphics on Tuesday canceled its $1.4 billion agreement to buy Wisconsin-based rival LSC Communications, following antitrust objections by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Why it matters: The Trump Administration's most-watched antitrust efforts have focused on technology companies, but this serves as a reminder that attention remains on traditional industries as well.

Go deeper

Axios

Podcast: Big Tech has a D.C. glitch

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an antitrust review that could sweep up Amazon, Google and Facebook. Dan and Axios tech policy reporter David McCabe dig in.

Go deeper: The antitrust vise tightens on tech

Keep ReadingJul 24, 2019

Scott Rosenberg

Antitrust casualties: The deals that don't get done

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

There's a reason it's hard to gauge the impact of antitrust investigations: Their effect is often felt in the form of acquisitions that aren't made.

Driving the news: Facebook ditched negotiations that were underway late last year to acquire Houseparty, a video-based social network, the New York Times' Mike Isaac reported Monday. Facebook feared giving more ammunition to antitrust regulators who have paid it growing attention because of its dominant market position.

Go deeperAug 13, 2019

David McCabe

The antitrust vise tightens on tech

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

The Justice Department's announcement Tuesday that it will probe the market power of online platforms is the latest sign of deepening trouble in Washington for major tech companies.

Why it matters: Antitrust action is one of the most significant steps a government can take to rein in a company — and Justice's announcement is the kind that can kick off years-long probes.

Go deeperJul 24, 2019