[piva00]

The absurdity comes from simply ignoring the potential net-negative side-effects of a merger, a 1B boost caused by higher prices is a loss for society due to inflation, there are many externalities from a merger that won't be easily priced.

I'm just adding a thought to your point.

[Arnt]

Are you saying that inflation necessarily outweighs all positive effects? That sounds like a remarkable claim to my ears.

[piva00]

No, I'm implying that inflation caused by a diminished competitive environment (the usual with large corporate mergers) coupled with the effects of a company having less competition and more market control does definitely outweigh whatever positive comes from it.