What can happen if a single firm lowers prices in an implicitly collusive environment?

In an implicitly collusive environment, firms typically set prices at a certain level to maintain stable profits for all participants. When a single firm decides to lower its prices, it disrupts this agreement, triggering a competitive response from rival firms. This often leads to a price war where competitors feel pressured to lower their prices to maintain their market share.

During a price war, profits for all firms involved tend to decrease because each firm is trying to attract customers with lower prices, leading to reduced revenues across the board. While one firm may initially benefit from a temporary increase in market share or consumer interest, the broader consequence of aggressive price cutting is a general eroding of profit margins within the market. Thus, the correct answer outlines the potential outcome of deteriorating profits for all firms due to this strategic price reduction.