Global cartel fines stand at $1.2 billion, a significant decrease from 2016 which saw fines of $7.8 billion across the full year. According to Morgan Lewis & Bockius's mid year Global Cartel Enforcement Report, the trend appears to be cyclical and linked to the gradual winding down, particularly in the United States, of major international cartel investigations into, for example, automotive parts.

Scrutiny from enforcement authorities

Large scale investigations remain active and the financial services, electronic components, pharmaceuticals and shipping industries faced scrutiny from enforcement authorities across a number of jurisdictions worldwide. The report revealed several enforcement firsts which took place in the first six months of 2017, including in India, where the first leniency application was granted; as well as in the European Union, which saw its first whistleblower programme. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority held its first antitrust dawn raid and the first proceedings were initiated before the Tribunal in Hong Kong, among other noteworthy precedents.