Logo image
Understanding the Price Effects of the MillerCoors Joint Venture
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Understanding the Price Effects of the MillerCoors Joint Venture

Nathan H. Miller and Matthew C. Weinberg
Econometrica, v 85(6), pp 1763-1791
Nov 2017

Abstract

Business & Economics Mathematical Methods In Social Sciences Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications Science & Technology Social Sciences, Mathematical Methods Statistics & Probability Economics Mathematics Physical Sciences Social Sciences
We document abrupt increases in retail beer prices just after the consummation of the MillerCoors joint venture, both for MillerCoors and its major competitor, Anheuser-Busch. Within the context of a differentiated-products pricing model, we test and reject the hypothesis that the price increases can be explained by movement from one Nash-Bertrand equilibrium to another. Counterfactual simulations imply that prices after the joint venture are 6%-8% higher than they would have been with Nash-Bertrand competition, and that markups are 17%-18% higher. We relate the results to documentary evidence that the joint venture may have facilitated price coordination.

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Source: SDGs in the Output

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Economics
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
Social Sciences, Mathematical Methods
Statistics & Probability
Logo image