FTC and USDA launch joint inquiry into anticompetitive practices in agricultural-equipment markets; Caterpillar falls 5.9%, Deere 2.8%
What happened
The Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a joint public inquiry into potential anticompetitive practices in agricultural equipment manufacturing and distribution markets, inviting public comments on business models, restrictions, retaliation, and competitive implications. Regulators cited a growing number of farmer complaints to the USDA about barriers to acquiring equipment and repair services. The move was framed as part of the FTC's broader agriculture-competition project, citing its recent settlements with Deere and Corteva.
Why it matters & what’s next are part of Pro, along with the audio summary.
Start your free 14-day trialWho’s affected & sources
Who’s affected
- Caterpillar (CAT) -5.9%, exposed to construction/ag equipment pricing practices and potential structural remedies; Deere (DE) -2.8%, already party to the earlier FTC right-to-repair settlement and likely a focal target; CNH Industrial (CNH) -5.3% and AGCO (AGCO) -5.7%, dragged by sector-wide regulatory overhang
Sources