What illegal practices are addressed by the Sherman Antitrust Act?

The Sherman Antitrust Act specifically addresses illegal practices such as price fixing, market allocation, and boycotting. Price fixing refers to the agreement between competitors to set prices at a certain level, which undermines free market competition. Market allocation occurs when competing firms agree to divide markets among themselves to avoid competition in those areas. Boycotting, in the context of antitrust laws, is the act of a group of sellers or buyers agreeing to refuse to deal with a particular party or company to exert pressure on them regarding pricing or terms.

These practices are considered harmful because they distort fair competition, hinder market efficiency, and ultimately can lead to higher prices and less choice for consumers. The Sherman Antitrust Act was enacted to promote fair competition for the benefit of consumers and to prevent monopolies from forming, which is why it addresses these specific illegal practices. The other options either pertain to legal business practices or do not specifically relate to the prohibitions set forth by the Sherman Antitrust Act.