NERA

In response to the European Commission’s call for evidence regarding the Digital Fairness Act (DFA), consumer protection experts Andrew Stivers, Dominik Huebler, Michael LeGower, and Research Analyst Bruno Goes, published their feedback on the consultation. They address the economics of drip pricing and subscriptions. The comments also highlight the nuanced nature of product and marketing design issues as raised by the DFA, emphasizing the importance of incorporating more economic nuance into the impact assessment and ultimately improving the Digital Fairness Act. Read more here: https://bit.ly/483RKID

On 4 December, Yves Hervé will moderate the “Financial and Industrial Policy” roundtable at the TLE Annual Conference 2025. This panel session will include Princeton University Professor Harold James, BDI Head of Foreign Trade Policy Matthias Krämer, Aspen Institute Executive Director Stormy-Annika Mildner, and HHU Düsseldorf Professor Jens Südekum, who will discuss how geopolitical changes and other socio-economic factors impact the European and German economies and assess policy measures taken to mitigate related challenges. Learn more: https://bit.ly/49ijaeL

On 10 November 2025, US District Court denied the Federal Trade Commission’s challenge to GTCR BC Holdings’ proposed acquisition of Surmodics. The FTC, joined by Minnesota and Illinois, argued the transaction would lessen competition in hydrophilic coatings for intravascular medical devices. In allowing the merger to proceed, the court drew on analysis and testimony from the NERA team led by Paul Wong and supported by Kate Foreman, Veronica Postal, Rasmus Jørgensen, and Kristopher Hult, whose work informed the court’s assessment of market conditions and competitive dynamics. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3XGHDDv

Dominik Huebler was interviewed by EnergieWinde magazine on the challenges and outlook for Germany’s offshore wind auctions. He discusses options for tweaking the regulatory framework to create a “quasi-CfD” to keep auctions viable and better reflect rising costs until full CfDs can be implemented. Read the article here: https://bit.ly/4832cQJ

In his article “Institutional Housing Investors and the Great Recession,” Dick Oosthuizen built a transition experiment intended to replicate the Great Recession to study the causes and consequences of the rise in the corporate housing rental share during the Great Recession. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4odq3Ss

At NERA, economists develop their skills through structured learning and development programs, mentorship, and collaborative projects. You will focus on both technical mastery and the soft skills needed to lead, so your career trajectory is supported from day one. https://nera.com/careers

On 26 November, Richard Druce will speak in a session titled “Price Controls with Purpose: Promoting Efficient Investment Through the RIIO-ED3 Framework” at the Utility Week Forum 2025. Mr. Druce will discuss designing economic regulation to align planning, performance, and consumer values. NERA is a proud sponsor of the forum. Register here: https://bit.ly/4rh4nrh

We are pleased to host the inaugural NextGen Antitrust Forum, a new platform created to support early-career professionals in antitrust economics and law, with the GW Competition and Innovation Lab. The first session will take place on 9 December and will focus on “Vertical Integration Revisited: Evidence, Theory, and Antitrust Policy.” The program will include Elena Ramirez Pierce, Latham & Watkins Counsel Francesca Pisano, RTX Director, Senior Counsel Elyssa Wenzel, and AT&T Senior Legal Counsel Amanda Norton, with Emily Walden, Ph.D. moderating. Learn more: https://bit.ly/48kYuBR

On 4 December, Adrien Cervera-Jackson will chair the session “Looking into the New Year” at the 7th Annual UK Competition Litigation Conference. The session will explore what 2026 may hold for competition, regulation, and market development in the UK. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3LpKRIH

Join consumer protection expert Andrew Stivers as he discusses differences between antitrust and consumer protection economics during the ABA Antitrust Law Section webinar “Consumer Protection Economics” on 24 November at 12:00 pm EST. Panelists will also explore the main modes of analysis used by economists in the consumer protection field. Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/3JJI0Kp