Closing arguments concluded on Monday in the trial where the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking to block the proposed $8.5 billion merger between fashion powerhouses Tapestry Inc. and Capri Holdings Ltd. The merger would unite Tapestry's Coach and Kate Spade with Capri's Versace and Michael Kors, consolidating major brands in the luxury handbag market. The FTC argues that the merger would reduce competition, noting that the companies monitor each other's pricing as evidence of direct rivalry. During closing arguments in the Manhattan federal court, the defense criticized the FTC's expert witness, bolstering optimism among some observers who estimate a 60% to 70% chance that the judge will deny the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction. The trial's outcome is highly anticipated, with the judge's decision expected in the coming weeks.