Kroger's proposed $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons was blocked by a federal judge. The judge agreed with the FTC that the merger would weaken competition for US grocery shoppers.
Shares of grocer Kroger (KR) finished Tuesday higher, rising in afternoon trading on the news that a court blocked its planned merger with Albertsons (ACI).
The ruling hands a victory to Biden antitrust enforcers, who said the $20 billion supermarket merger would erode competition and raise prices for consumers.
Judge sides with FTC that merger would lead to higher prices and less bargaining leverage for union workers
Bloomberg Intelligence senior antitrust litigation analyst Jennifer Rie breaks down why a US district judge blocked Kroger's $24.6 billion takeover of Albertsons. -------- Watch Bloomberg Radio LIVE on YouTube Weekdays 7am-6pm ET WATCH HERE: Click Here Follow us on X: Click Here Subscribe to our Podcasts: Bloomberg Daybreak: Click Here Bloomberg Surveillance: Click Here Bloomberg Intelligence: Click Here Balance of Power: Click Here Bloomberg Businessweek: Click Here Listen on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the Bloomberg Business app: Apple CarPlay: Click Here Android Auto: Click Here Visit our YouTube channels: Bloomberg Podcasts: Click Here Bloomberg Television: Click Here Bloomberg Originals: Click Here Quicktake: Click Here
The companies argued at trial that they needed to merge to compete with global conglomerates such as Walmart and Amazon.
A U.S. judge blocked the pending $25 billion merger of U.S. grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons on Tuesday, siding with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in a win for the Biden administration.
A federal judge blocked a $24.6 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons on Tuesday, ruling against the merger over concerns it would lessen competition in the supermarket sector.
A federal judge issued a ruling that blocks the proposed $25 billion merger between Albertsons and Kroger, which critics argued would reduce competition in the grocery industry.
A federal judge has blocked supermarket chain Kroger Co.'s merger deal with rival Albertsons Cos., saying it would stifle competition, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
A U.S. judge blocked the pending $25 billion merger of U.S. grocery chains Kroger KR.N and Albertsons on Tuesday, siding with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in a win for the Biden administration.
I reiterate my buy rating for Kroger (KR), confident it will return to normalized growth and margins within two years. KR's underlying demand remains solid, with identical supermarket sales growth recovering to pre-COVID levels. Strategic initiatives like private label expansion, AI-driven margin optimization, and new store openings are key drivers for future growth and profitability.