Mergers and acquisitions are another way to create a monopoly or a near-monopoly even in the absence of a scarce resource. In such cases, economies of scale create economic efficiencies that allow companies to drive down prices to a point where competitors simply cannot survive.

What exactly is a merger?

A merger is an agreement that unites two existing companies into one new company. … Mergers and acquisitions are commonly done to expand a company’s reach, expand into new segments, or gain market share.

What are the 3 types of mergers?

The three main types of mergers are horizontal, vertical, and conglomerate. In a horizontal merger, companies at the same stage in the same industry merge to reduce costs, expand product offerings, or reduce competition. Many of the largest mergers are horizontal mergers to achieve economies of scale.