Problem: Suppose the market for toy trains is comprised of the following seven competitors with the indicated market shares:
Little Toot Toys 55% Trains R Us 3%
I Think I Can 25% Thomas Trains 3%
Engines, Inc. 8% The Fastest Trains 2%
Silver Streak 4%
a. What is the Herfindahl Index (HHI) for this industry?
b. If there were a merger between Engines, Inc. and Silver Streak, what is the new industry Herfindahl Index?
c. Would the Justice Department allow such a merger?
d. Why or why not?
e. If there were a merger between I Think I Can and Engines, Inc., what is the new industry Herfindahl Index?
f. Would the Justice Department allow such a merger?
g. Why or why not?
h. If there were a merger between Silver Streak, Trains R Us, Thomas Trains and The Fastest Trains, what is the new industry Herfindahl Index?
i. Would the Justice Department allow such a merger?
j. Why or why not?