antitrust

Apple announced the retirements of General Counsel Kate Adams and VP for Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson. Meta’s chief legal officer Jennifer Newstead will assume Apple’s general counsel role in March, with Jackson’s government‑affairs team reporting to her next year. Adams, who joined from Honeywell in 2017, oversaw litigation and antitrust challenges, while Jackson—formerly EPA administrator—led diversity, climate and the Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. The reshuffle aims to tighten legal‑policy coordination amid rising global regulation, while preserving Apple’s ESG momentum and supporting its AI and innovation agenda.

Apple has challenged the Delhi High Court on the Competition Commission of India’s method of calculating antitrust fines, arguing that using global turnover is unconstitutional and could impose a $38 billion penalty. The CCI is probing Apple’s mandatory in‑app purchase system after complaints from Indian startups and Match Group. Despite regulatory pressure, Apple shipped a record 5 million iPhones in Q3 2025 and aims for 15 million annual sales, while expanding Indian exports to $12.8 billion. The case highlights regulatory risk, potential changes to commission fees, and the strategic shift of Apple’s supply chain to India.

Meta Platforms won a U.S. District Court ruling against the FTC in an antitrust case. The judge found the FTC failed to prove Meta currently holds a monopoly in social networking, particularly after acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp. The court cited the rise of TikTok and YouTube as evidence of increased competition. The FTC expressed disappointment and is reviewing options. Meta’s stock experienced a slight dip following the ruling while Meta maintains that the ruling acknowledges that it faces fierce competition.

Apple briefly surpassed a $4 trillion market cap, driven by iPhone 17 demand, favorable antitrust rulings securing its Google search deal, and strategic domestic manufacturing investments. Analysts at Bank of America and JPMorgan express optimism, projecting earnings growth and raising price targets based on future AI prospects. While AI rollout delays raise concerns, strong iPhone sales and tariff management contribute to a positive outlook. Upcoming earnings are crucial to validate the iPhone upgrade cycle and demonstrate sustained growth amid competition.

AMD is challenging Nvidia’s AI chip dominance with a potentially multi-billion dollar GPU deal with OpenAI. This partnership aims to diversify OpenAI’s supplier base and mitigate antitrust concerns surrounding Nvidia’s 90% market share. AMD’s stock surged following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence. The deal is expected to generate significant revenue for AMD and positions the company as a stronger competitor in the AI hardware market, attracting regulatory attention amid concerns about market concentration and potential tariffs.

Alphabet has reached a $3 trillion market capitalization, joining a select group of tech giants. This milestone was fueled by a favorable resolution to a major antitrust case, where penalties were less severe than expected, boosting investor confidence. Alphabet’s stock is up over 30% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the Nasdaq. CEO Sundar Pichai navigates the company through AI disruption and regulatory scrutiny. The rise of AI search alternatives and the success of Gemini, Alphabet’s AI suite, are crucial for the company’s future competitiveness.

Microsoft has reached an agreement with the EU to unbundle Teams from its Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites, averting antitrust fines. The move follows a European Commission investigation prompted by a complaint from Slack regarding anti-competitive bundling. Microsoft will offer suites without Teams at a reduced price and facilitate interoperability with rival platforms. The agreement aims to ensure fair market access and prevent hindering competition. Microsoft has increased the price differential and will more prominently advertise suites without Teams. The EU’s decision signals increased scrutiny of tech bundling practices.

The U.S. tech industry’s eight trillion-dollar companies saw a collective market cap increase of $420 billion this week, reaching $21 trillion, despite Nvidia’s downturn. Alphabet and Apple rallied after a favorable antitrust ruling, which also allows their continued AI partnership. Broadcom secured a $10 billion AI client, likely OpenAI, propelling its entry into the trillion-dollar club. Tesla shares climbed following news of a proposed compensation package for Elon Musk. Google, Apple, Amazon, and Meta all face antitrust scrutiny, reflecting an industry wide push towards regulation.

The EU Commission has fined Google €2.95 billion for anti-competitive practices in its adtech business, alleging the company favored its own services, disadvantaging rivals and distorting the market. The EU requires Google to cease these practices within 60 days and address conflicts of interest. Google disputes the findings, plans to appeal, and argues its services benefit the market. This decision could force Google to restructure its adtech business in Europe and sets a precedent globally for antitrust actions against dominant tech platforms.

Alphabet (GOOG) shares rose after a favorable outcome in a landmark antitrust case. While the court affirmed Google’s illegal search monopoly, the judge rejected the DOJ’s proposal to divest Chrome. Google retains Chrome ownership and can compensate device manufacturers for preloading apps but is restricted from exclusive contracts contingent on exclusivity. Google’s agreement with Apple remains under scrutiny. Analysts believe the market’s positive reaction reflects relief that Google avoided a breakup. Focus now turns to remedies and their impact on competition.