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The article discusses the potential for mergers among agribusiness firms such as Monsanto Co., Syngenta AG, and Bayer AG in the wake of advanced merger negotiations between U.S. chemical firms DuPont Co. and Dow Chemical Co. as of early December 2015. According to the article, Dow and DuPont derive much of their revenue from pesticides and related materials.

The article discusses the possible risks of the potential merger of Chinese state-owned firms such as mobile phone service China Unicorn (Hong Kong) Ltd. and China Telecom Corp. and airlines China Southern Airlines Co. and Air China Ltd. as of early December 2015. According to the article, the Chinese government wished to create national companies in order to compete abroad, but the effort could lead to reduced competition.

The article states that the political partnership group the European Union (EU) economic competition regulatory organization the European Commission (EC) was furthering its investigation concerning allegations that U.S. technology company Google Inc. abuses its strength in advertising contracts with website operators and copies content from other Internet sites as of late August 2015. According to the article, the EC sent questionnaires to companies that requested detailed information concerning Google's business practices.

The article discusses threats to the market share of Chinese electronic-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. from rival firms including Chinese company JD.com Inc., Chinese online beauty products retailer Jumei International Holding Ltd., and electronic discount fashion retail company Vipshop Holdings Ltd. According to the article, Alibaba purchased a 20 percent stake in Chinese electronics retailer Suning Commerce Group Ltd. in August 2015. The article presents comments from Alibaba executive vice chairman Joseph Tsai.

The article states that members of the U.S. government agency the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) were prepared to issue a bipartisan agreement concerning how and when to enact Section 5 of the legislation the FTC Act in enforcement matters, particularly a provision concerning unfair methods of competition affecting commerce. According to the article, business enterprises criticized the FTC for a lack of formal guidelines. The article presents comments from FTC chairwoman Edith Ramirez.

The article discusses the possibility that St. Louis, Missouri, chemical and biotechnology firm Monsanto Co. and Swiss agribusiness Syngenta AG could merge despite Syngenta's protests that a merger would violate antitrust regulations. According to the article, Monsanto proposed a merger in April 2015. The article states that Monsanto pledged to sell Syngenta's entire seed business and some of its herbicide products in order to avoid competition concerns. The article presents comments from former U.S. agency the Federal Trade Commission chairman Jon Leibowitz.

The article states that the U.S. agency the Justice Department filed suit on July 1, 2015, to block the planned sale of the appliance business of U.S. conglomerate General Electric Co. (GE) to the Swedish appliance maker Electrolux AB over concerns that the merger would mute competition. According to the article, GE executives were scheduled to meet with European Union (EU) authorities in Brussels, Belgium, concerning GE's planned acquisition of the firm Alstom SA's energy business.

The article states that insurance company ACE Ltd. agreed to purchase insurance firm Chubb Corp. for $28.3 billion in cash and stock in early July 2015. The article states that the deal is part of a wave of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the insurance industry and discusses increased competition in the insurance industry due to the growth of capital bases as a result of fewer claims checks being issued. The article presents comments from business firm Nomura Securities International Inc. stock analyst Clifford Gallant.

The article states that French taxi drivers blocked access to main roads to airports and train stations in Paris, France, on June 25, 2015, in protest of operations in France by the car service Uber Technologies Inc. According to the article, French taxi drivers were demanding that the French government accelerate regulations on Uber's service known as Uberpop, which utilizes drivers without taxi licenses and is viewed as unfair competition. The article presents comments from French president François Hollande condemning violence.

The article states that U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta issued a preliminary injunction that blocked U.S. food company Sysco Corp. from acquiring food company US Food Inc. on June 23, 2015. According to the article, the injunction marked a victory for the U.S. government agency the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which filed a lawsuit in February 2015 challenging the legality of the purchase because of alleged antitrust violations. The article discusses the financial impact on Sysco should the transaction fail.

The article cites an analysis of U.S. government data by the newspaper "The Wall Street Journal" indicating that the largest U.S. health insurers, particularly those pursuing potential mergers, have market overlaps that could hurt competition in sectors including the U.S. government program Medicare. According to the article, the board of directors of U.S. insurer Cigna Corp. rejected a bid from U.S. insurer Anthem Inc. on June 21, 2015, and U.S. insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc. was interested in taking over U.S. insurer Aetna.

The article states that credit card company American Express Co. (AmEx) was lifting restrictions that prohibited merchants accepting AmEx cards from steering customers to other credit card brands such as Visa Inc. or MasterCard Inc. following a February 2015 court ruling by U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis that found AmEx's restrictions to be anticompetitive.

The article states that Austin, Texas, foods supermarket chain Whole Foods Market Inc. planned to establish a sister chain of smaller stores marketed toward younger consumers. According to the article, Whole Foods Market's plan was aimed at negating increased competition. The article presents comments from Whole Foods Market co-chief executive John Mackey.

The article reports that advisers to the Chinese government are exploring the possibility of consolidating the country's oil industry to better compete in the world market, focusing on various proposed mergers of state companies. Topics include the companies China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC), China Petrochemical Corp. (Sinopec), China National Offshore Oil Corp (Cnooc) and Sinochem Group.

The article profiles the toy manufacturing company Mattel Inc., focusing on conditions in the toy industry. Topics include Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bryan Stockton's attempts to overhaul corporate culture at Mattel by decreasing meetings and supporting creativity; competition from other toy manufacturers; and the popularity of digital games and entertainment.

The article profiles the investment bank Jefferies LLC, focusing on competition between the firm and far larger enterprises for business. Topics include a discussion of Jefferies' management and structure; profiles of several leaders including investment banking head Benjamin Lorello, chief executive officer Richard Handler, and health-care executive Sage Kelly; and a discussion of its work in financing health-care-related new business enterprises.

The article discusses the performance of Mars Inc., a closely held food and candy manufacturer, focusing on the opening of a new plant that will manufacture Snickers bars and M&M's. Topics include Mars' competition with chocolate manufacturer Hershey Co.; a discussion of Mars' management and finances including its petcare and Wrigley divisions; and the market for chocolate and candy in the U.S.

The article presents an adaptation from the book "Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future" by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters that argues the virtues of monopolies. The author notes that while perfect competition results in zero profits for rival firms, monopolies can both create value and allow their owners to capture a portion of it. They illustrate their thesis by considering the case of Internet-search firm Google Inc.

The article discusses competition between food companies such as Yum Brands Inc. and restaurant companies such as Burger King Worldwide Inc., focusing on U.S. consumer habits as they pertain to eating breakfast during morning routines as of 2014. Topics include protein in breakfast foods and restaurant companies such as Dunkin' Brands Group Inc.

The article discusses the proposed takeover of U.S. cable company Time Warner Cable Inc. by communications company Comcast Corp. as of March 2014, with a focus on concerns over the possible influence the merger could give Comcast within the media industry. Topics include the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's (FCCs) impending review of the deal and comments from the public and competitors, competition within the cable industry, and Comcast subscribers.

The article discusses an increase in U.S. real estate agent preparation course and licensing exam applicants as of January 2014, focusing on the incomes of some real estate agents. Topics include competition between agents, luxury home sales, and the potential costs of starting a career as a real estate agent. INSET: ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A REAL-ESTATE AGENT?.

The article discusses an antitrust settlement with the U.S. Justice Department that will enable a proposed merger between the airlines AMR Corp. and US Airways Inc. as of November 2013. Topics include competition in the airline industry, the potential impact of the merger on consumers, and the planned reduction of AMR and US Airways flights at some airports in New York City and Washington, District of Columbia.

The article discusses competition between cable television companies and telecommunications companies selling television services as of November 2013. Companies mentioned include the telecommunications companies AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., the satellite television company Dish Network Corp., and cable companies such as Time Warner Cable Inc.

The article discusses competition in the animated motion picture industry as of November 2013, focusing on the planned release of the film "Free Birds" by the production company Reel FX Inc. Topics include the box office returns of films such as "Despicable Me 2" and "Turbo" and cost control in motion picture budgets.

The author discusses the business strategies of the Internet services company Google Inc. as of October 2013, arguing that Google's acquisition of the smartphone manufacturer Motorola Inc. and release of the Moto X phone may have been part of an attempt to draw profits away from the competing companies Apple Inc. and Samsung. Business planning and commodity devices are mentioned.

The article discusses competition between art galleries and art auction houses such as Christie's and Sotheby's as of October 2013, focusing on the global contemporary art market. Topics include the sale of art from artists such as Tracey Emin and the potential impact of art auctioning practices on the valuation of art.

The article discusses U.S. laws pertaining to the consolidation of media companies, focusing on arrangements known as sidecar agreements in which television companies such as Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. manage television stations that they do not own. Topics include competition with the Internet, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, and cost control.

The article discusses the business models and competition strategies of the auction houses Sotheby's and Christie's International PLC as of October 2013, reporting that Sotheby's model of catering to millionaires has not been as successful as Christie's model of attempting to appeal to less wealthy people who may be interested in electronic shopping. Topics include art collecting and the comments of the hedge-fund investor Daniel Loeb.

The article discusses a conflict between the insurance providers Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and American International Group Inc. (AIG) as of September 2013. According to the article, four senior executives were poached from AIG to form a competing Berkshire commercial-insurance unit, and after AIG threatened to sue, the companies agreed on a year-long hiring ban. The investor Warren Buffett is mentioned.

The article discusses a customer service initiative in Great Britain that, as of September 2013, aims to facilitate the process of switching banks within seven business days. Topics include bank marketing, competition in the banking industry, and banks such as Lloyds Banking Group PLC, Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, and Barclays PLC.

The article discusses a low-price business strategy of the electronics and smartphone manufacturing company Apple Inc. as of September 2013, reporting that Apple stock prices declined following the unveiling of the iPhone 5C smartphone model. Topics include competition in the smartphone industry and the potential sales of smartphones to developing markets.

The article discusses the fast food industry in France as of September 2013, focusing on the challenges experienced by some business owners in locating ingredients such as beef and corn. Topics include competition between convenience food chains and traditional French restaurants and the comments of the chef Michael Greenwold and the restaurant owner Damon Biggins.

The article discusses the business initiatives of the grocery company Whole Foods Market Inc., focusing on its attempts to introduce sales and discounts to alter its brand reputation of high prices. Topics include competition in the grocery industry, marketing strategy, and the company's financial performance.

The article discusses the potential impact of U.S. immigrant legalization policies on the U.S. economy, focusing on the employees of a meatpacking plant operated by the food processing company Swift & Co. in Greeley, Colorado as of August 2013. Topics include wage declines, unemployment rates, competition for jobs, and the employment of unauthorized immigrants.

The article discusses consolidation in the advertising industry as of July 2013, focusing on the merger of the agency holding companies Publicis Groupe SA and Omnicom Group Inc. as well as potential mergers involving the agency holding company Interpublic Group of Cos. Inc. Topics include competition in the advertising industry and the agency holding company WPP PLC.

The article discusses the financial performance of the electronics company Apple Inc. as of July 2013, focusing on the company's sales as well as demand for its products. Topics include the sales of iPhone mobile devices and iPad tablet computers, competition with companies such as Samsung Electronics Co., and corporate profits.

The article discusses drops in government bonds in European countries in 2013, economic conditions in the European Union (EU), and the euro zone debt crisis. Economic stimulus in Europe, the European Central Bank (ECB), and bonds in Spain and Greece are mentioned, as well as debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratios, German elections, and economic competition in Europe.

The author discusses the international expansion plans of the bank Nomura Holdings Inc. as of June 2013, focusing on the bank's attempts to succeed in the U.S. despite retreats from European and Asian markets. Topics include international businesses, competition in the U.S. banking industry, and Nomura's office in New York City.

The article discusses ways in which business strategies of Internet-search firm Google Inc. resemble those of online retailer Amazon.com Inc. Google has launched several businesses including those providing industrial supplies online and corporate-computing services that will compete against existing Amazon operations.

The article discusses international competition in the garment industry that may have led factory owners in Bangladesh to encourage workers to return to work inside a building that collapsed in April 2013. According to the article, some garment retailers had shifted their orders from the Bangladesh factories to India. Topics include companies that operated in the building such as Phantom Apparels Ltd., retailers contracting with the companies such as Loblaw Cos., and worker strikes.

The article discusses competition between Internet companies in China as of April 30, 2013. Topics include the electronic commerce company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s purchase of a stake in the microblogging service Weibo, the share prices of Alibaba's parent company Sina Corp., and the social media company Tencent Holdings Ltd.

The article discusses competition between two U.S. labor unions, the Service Employees International Union and the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), both of which are interested in representing workers at the health care company Kaiser Permanente. Topics include the annual dues at stake for the unions and the initiatives of the NUHW president Sal Rosselli. The California Nurses Association and the U.S. National Labor Relations Board are mentioned.

The article reports that automaker BMW AG expects a decrease in sales growth in China in 2013 due to economic conditions and increased competition. Topics include the slowing of Chinese economic expansion in early 2013, the focus of Chinese President Xi Jinping on austerity measures, and a government push for Chinese officials to purchase Chinese-made automobiles.

The article discusses the financial performance of the technology company Oracle Corp. as of March 2013, focusing on the company's reporting of a drop in software subscription and license sales. Topics include competition in database vending and cloud computing as well as the motivation of sales staff.

The article discusses competition in the U.S. smartphone industry, focusing on the advertising spending of the smartphone provider Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and its efforts to surpass the sales of its competitor Apple Inc. Topics include the launch of Galaxy brand smartphones and brand consistency across network carriers.

The author discusses the business models of the hardware and software company Apple Inc. and its competitors, reporting that companies such as Microsoft Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. have made their software applications available on Apple products while Apple has retained exclusivity of its own software. Topics include competition among technology providers and the iOS operating system.

The article looks at the mobile device application (app) industry, as of March 2013. It says the industry is growing rapidly but is also highly competitive, with the result that many start-up app development companies fail. The challenges of finding a profitable business model in the app industry are discussed.

The article discusses an increase in U.S. business loans as of February 2013, focusing on concerns that increased competition among banks is resulting in risk for the U.S. economy. Topics include an increase in domestic depositing, interest rate decreases, unemployment, and the refusal of some banks to match competitor's loan terms.

The article reports that U.S. stock exchange Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. plans to start processing premarket stock trades at 4 a.m. in order to compete with rival NYSE Euronext. Comments from Stephen Ehrlich of brokerage and software firm Lightspeed Financial and Brad Vopni of Nasdaq in support of the decision are included, as well as criticism from Tom Carter of broker JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC.

The article reports that clothing retailer Gap Inc. experienced an increase in sales during 2012 compared to 2011. Noted factors that contributed to the improved sales include consumer preferences for jeans and men's suits as well as cost control policies from Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Glenn Murphy. Other topics covered include competition from stores Forever21 and Zara, Gap's relationship with designer Patrick Robinson, and the company's supply chain.