By Foo Yun Chee
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – EU antitrust regulators are looking for suggestions on whether or not the European Vitality Trade (EEX) would possibly develop its market energy by bundling merchandise when it buys Nasdaq’s European energy buying and selling and clearing enterprise, an individual with direct information of the matter stated on Wednesday.
The European Fee, which is analyzing the deal, despatched a questionnaire to the businesses’ rivals and prospects this month, asking for replies early this week, the individual stated. EEX is Europe’s main electrical energy and trade, serving 800 contributors.
“One devoted part within the questionnaire is about conglomerate results,” the individual stated, referring to the influence on competitors from the merger of two firms in intently associated however not competing markets.
“The Fee want to perceive whether or not the merged entity might use its robust place in a single market to extend its market place in markets of comparable merchandise,” the individual stated.
The questionnaire requested if the merged entity would possibly do that by providing merchandise solely as a part of bundles for a hard and fast charge or making the sale of 1 product conditional on the sale of one other associated one, the individual stated.
The Fee, which final yr stated the merged firm might have an incentive to lift buying and selling charges or worsen situations for market contributors, declined to remark.
The questionnaire additionally requested in regards to the influence of the deal on costs and the limitations for rivals to enter the market, the individual stated.
EEX and Nasdaq of their response to the Fee final yr stated the deal posed no important risk to competitors in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway or another EU nation, that it might not eradicate competitors between the 2 firms, and that market response had been constructive.