Kroll has acquired ABC economics, a Berlin-based economics and competition advisory firm, to strengthen its global capabilities across competition matters, regulatory proceedings, litigation, arbitration and complex transactions. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition expands Kroll’s economic and econometric advisory capabilities as corporations, financial institutions and law firms increasingly require specialized economic analysis for high-stakes matters involving significant capital, regulatory scrutiny or contested commercial issues.
ABC economics advises clients on competition and regulatory matters across Europe and other international markets. Its work includes merger reviews, damage quantification, abuse of dominance cases, cartel investigations, horizontal and vertical agreements, market definition, state aid and sector inquiries.
The firm also provides economic expertise for intellectual property disputes, international trade matters, commercial litigation, securities cases and domestic and international arbitration proceedings.
ABC economics has developed experience in regulated industries including telecommunications and energy, where economic analysis can be important to evaluating market structures, pricing, competition and the impact of proposed regulatory decisions.
The company works across multiple jurisdictions and languages, reflecting the increasingly international nature of competition investigations, regulatory disputes and major corporate transactions.
ABC economics was founded by economist Frank Maier-Rigaud and is known for combining academic research and economic theory with practical analysis designed for courts, regulators, competition authorities and arbitral tribunals.
The firm serves leading law firms, corporations and financial institutions that require independent economic evidence to support legal arguments, transaction strategies or regulatory submissions.
Kroll said the acquisition responds to growing demand for economic expertise alongside traditional valuation, accounting and financial analysis.
Competition authorities and regulators are applying greater scrutiny to mergers, business practices and market power, particularly in sectors undergoing technological disruption or consolidation.
Courts and arbitral tribunals are also increasingly relying on economic modeling and econometric evidence when assessing damages, market effects, causation and the commercial impact of alleged misconduct.
Economic experts can help clients determine how a market operates, identify relevant competitors, assess whether conduct affected prices or output and calculate the financial losses associated with disputes.
In merger reviews, economists may analyze whether a proposed transaction could reduce competition, increase prices, limit innovation or create barriers for new market entrants.
For disputes and investigations, economic analysis can be used to test competing theories, assess large datasets and quantify damages under different scenarios.
Adding ABC economics gives Kroll a larger European platform for delivering these services while connecting the firm’s economists with Kroll’s global valuation, transactions, investigations, risk and disputes professionals.
Kroll believes the combination will allow clients to access integrated teams capable of addressing the financial, economic, regulatory and strategic components of complex matters.
ABC economics will gain access to Kroll’s global network, data resources and broader advisory capabilities while maintaining its emphasis on intellectual rigor and independent analysis.
The transaction follows the launch of Kroll Economics and Decision Intelligence earlier in 2026.
That practice is focused on using economics, data analysis and decision science to help clients evaluate complex commercial, regulatory and investment questions.
Kroll has also continued expanding the practice through senior appointments, including the recent addition of Managing Director Devin Rochford in Atlanta.
The acquisition reflects structural changes across legal and regulatory markets. Clients are facing greater competition enforcement, more demanding merger reviews and increased use of sophisticated economic evidence in litigation and arbitration.
Kroll expects ABC economics’ experience with European Union and national competition authorities to complement its existing international advisory capabilities.
The firm’s expertise could also support clients involved in cross-border transactions, where a proposed deal may require reviews from multiple regulators applying different competition standards.
Kroll employs more than 6,500 professionals globally and provides services spanning valuation, transactions, governance, investigations and risk advisory.
The company plans to integrate ABC economics’ academic and applied economic expertise into its broader Financial Advisory platform.
KEY QUOTES:
“Kroll is the definitive authority at the intersection of valuation, risk and transactions. Economic analysis is playing a central role in today’s most complex litigation, arbitration and regulatory matters. ABC economics brings exceptional intellectual depth, independence and credibility. Together, we are significantly enhancing our ability to help clients navigate high-stakes matters where economics is decisive.”
Michael H. Dolan, President of Financial Advisory at Kroll
“ABC economics was built with a clear philosophy: rigorous economic thinking, scientific knowledge, intellectual honesty and a focus on substance. Joining Kroll allows us to take that approach further – working within a global advisory platform that values technical excellence, deep domain expertise and enables us to tackle a broader range of economic questions where we can make a difference.”
Frank Maier-Rigaud, Founder of ABC Economics
“This acquisition comes as legal and regulatory markets undergo structural change. Competition and regulatory scrutiny are intensifying globally, while litigation and arbitration increasingly embrace sophisticated economic reasoning rather than purely accounting-based analysis.”
Michael Weaver, Managing Director and International Valuation Advisory Services Leader at Kroll
