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Data sales and data dilution

Author

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  • Liu, Ernest
  • Ma, Song
  • Veldkamp, Laura

Abstract

We explore indicators of market power in a data market. Markups cannot measure competition, because most data products’ marginal cost is zero, making the markup infinite. Yet, data monopolists may not exert monopoly power because they cannot commit to restricting data sales to future customers. This limited commitment and strategic substitutability of data undermine sellers’ monopoly power. But data subscriptions restore this monopoly power. Evidence from online data markets supports the model’s insight that subscriptions indicate market power. Model and evidence reveal that data subscriptions are better for consumers because they sustain the incentive to invest in high-quality data.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Ernest & Ma, Song & Veldkamp, Laura, 2025. "Data sales and data dilution," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:169:y:2025:i:c:s0304405x25000613
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2025.104053
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Mihet, Roxana & Rishabh, Kumar & Gomes, Orlando, 2026. "Is it AI or data that drives firm market power?," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C6 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling
    • D4 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design
    • D5 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium
    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance

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