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The Fall and Rise of Market Power in Europe

Author

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  • Weche John P.
  • Wambach Achim

    (Monopolies Commission, Bonn, Germany)

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the recent developments of average market power in Europe by using a broad firm-level database for EU member states. To indicate competitive pressure at the firm-level, markups are estimated following De Loecker, J. (2011). Recovering markups from production data. Int. J. Ind. Organ. 29: 350–355, and De Loecker, J. and Warzynski, F. (2012). Markups and firm-level export status. Am. Econ. Rev. 102: 2437–2471. The analysis reveals a sharp drop in markups during the crisis, followed by a post-crisis increase. The European average has not yet reached its pre-crisis level, which is in contrast to results for the US, where average markups have climbed to pre-crisis levels already in 2011. There is significant heterogeneity among European economies and the pre-crisis levels do have been exceeded in some countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Weche John P. & Wambach Achim, 2021. "The Fall and Rise of Market Power in Europe," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 241(5-6), pages 555-575, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:jns:jbstat:v:241:y:2021:i:5-6:p:555-575:n:9
    DOI: 10.1515/jbnst-2020-0047
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    market power; markups; Europe; crisis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E2 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment
    • D2 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations
    • D4 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design
    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance

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