President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday to create food supply chain security task forces to address potential risks from price fixing and anti-competitive behavior. The new task forces will be established by the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), according to the White House."My Administration will act to determine whether anti-competitive behavior, especially by foreign-controlled companies, increases the cost of living for Americans and address any associated n ...

Core Points - Spain's competition watchdog, CNMC, has expanded its investigation into Apple's App Store practices, focusing on potential anti-competitive behavior and unfair commercial terms imposed on app developers [2][3][4] - The inquiry, which began in July 2024, aims to determine if Apple has established a pricing schedule that developers must adhere to in order to distribute their apps [2][4] - Apple maintains that its App Store is designed to provide a safe and trusted experience for users while offering a valuable business opportunity for developers [3][4] Regulatory Context - The CNMC's investigation highlights concerns regarding Apple's closed ecosystem, which is seen as conflicting with European competition regulations [4] - The regulator's statement indicates that the practices under scrutiny could be considered restrictive to competition among businesses [3][4]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has blocked the proposed acquisition of Surmodics, Inc. by GTCR LLC due to anti-competitive concerns, particularly regarding market control in hydrophilic coatings, a vital component in medical devices [2][6]. Company Summary - Surmodics' acquisition by GTCR was valued at approximately $627 million, or $43.00 per share, representing a significant premium over the company's market value [2]. - The company has expressed strong opposition to the FTC's decision, arguing that the merger would be pro-competitive and beneficial for stakeholders, including customers and patients [3]. - Surmodics intends to challenge the FTC's ruling in court, asserting that the acquisition aligns with long-term industry trends and growth objectives [3][8]. - In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, Surmodics reported total revenues of $29.9 million, a decrease of 2% year-over-year, and a loss per share of 60 cents, which is a 20% improvement from the previous year's loss [9]. Industry Summary - The FTC's decision reflects a broader regulatory trend towards stricter scrutiny of private equity acquisitions in the healthcare sector, aiming to prevent monopolistic behavior and rising healthcare costs [7]. - The merger's blockage could set a precedent for future transactions, making it more challenging for private equity firms to consolidate within the medical technology space [7][8]. - The FTC's unanimous decision indicates a strong commitment to maintaining competition in the medical coatings sector, which has historically benefited from rivalry between companies like Surmodics and Biocoat [6].