**Live Nation's Stock Rises Amid Uncertainty Following Trump's Electoral Victory**

Following Donald Trump's win in the 2024 presidential election, Live Nation's stock has experienced a significant surge. The stock price soared on November 6, moving from a February low of just under $87 to nearly $130 earlier this week. This increase occurred despite the company's announcement of a 6% revenue decline for the third quarter of the year.

One major reason behind the stock's rise is the potential impact of the new administration on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ongoing lawsuit against Live Nation and its Ticketmaster division. The suit, filed in May, alleges that the company has violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by holding a monopoly on ticketing and using its power to dominate the market and suppress competition. The DOJ is seeking to dismantle the merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which took place in 2010.

Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the alleged negative effects of Live Nation's practices on fans, artists, smaller promoters, and venue operators. He claimed that the monopolistic control results in higher fees for fans, reduced opportunities for artists, and limited choices for venues. Live Nation has strongly denied these accusations.

Joe Berchtold, Live Nation's chief financial officer, expressed cautious optimism about the company's future under the new administration during an earnings call. He suggested that a Republican administration might adopt a less interventionist approach to antitrust issues, compared to the highly interventionist demands of the current lawsuit.

However, opinions are divided within the concert industry regarding the lawsuit's future. Stephen Parker from the National Independent Venue Association believes that the DOJ's case has strong bipartisan support, with backing from 40 state attorneys general, indicating a significant problem that requires resolution.

Conversely, attorney Morgan Harper of the American Economic Liberties Project remains cautious. She pointed out that both the prior Trump administration and the current Biden administration undertook actions against Live Nation's business practices. Harper suggested that assuming diminished enforcement under Trump might be premature, given prior enforcement actions against other monopolists like Google.

Kristine Dennis, the general counsel for ticketing company Prolific 1, holds a more pessimistic view. She fears that the DOJ might redirect resources under Trump, focusing less on significant issues and potentially stalling or dropping the case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

On the financial side, Live Nation's contributions to political campaigns have been split between both major parties, although recent data shows a slight skew towards Democratic candidates. The company's ongoing monitoring of political developments reflects the uncertainty surrounding the lawsuit's outcome under the new administration.

As Stephen Parker aptly summarized, the future of this DOJ case under the Trump administration remains unclear, and the industry continues to watch developments closely.