Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan's initiative to use antitrust laws to protect workers faces a key test on Monday when the agency will argue the merger between grocery chain Kroger and its rival Albertsons would crush unionized workers' bargaining power.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission will argue Kroger's $25 billion merger with rival grocer Albertsons is bad for shoppers and workers when the agency's lawsuit goes to trial in federal court in Portland, Oregon, on Monday.
On one side are supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons, which say their planned merger will help them compete against rivals like Costco COST. On the other side are antitrust regulators from the Federal Trade Commission, who say the merger would eliminate competition and raise grocery prices in a time of already high food price inflation.
Kroger's merger with Albertsons is facing regulatory challenges, potentially impacting revenue growth and profitability. Despite strong dividend growth and historical performance, Kroger's current valuation and uncertainty over the merger make it less appealing for new investments. Kroger's financials show steady revenue growth, increasing income stream for investors, and manageable debt levels, making it a solid long-term investment option.
Supermarket chain Kroger Co. on Tuesday said it was offering $10.5 billion in bonds to help pay for its planned $24.6 billion merger deal with rival Albertsons Cos. Inc.
Kroger (KR) shares declined in intraday trading Tuesday as the biggest U.S. supermarket chain launched a two-part effort to finally end its long-running battle to purchase rival Albertsons (ACI).
Kroger Co. is expected to price what may be the biggest bond deal of 2024 later Tuesday, a seven-part deal that will be used to help fund its $25 billion planed merger with Albertsons Cos.
In the latest trading session, Kroger (KR) closed at $52.76, marking a -0.81% move from the previous day.
Kroger Co. on Monday said it filed a court motion to halt a Federal Trade Commission administrative proceeding challenging the grocery chain's merger deal with Albertsons Cos. Inc., alleging that the agency's use of in-house courts in the case amounted to government overreach.
Kroger, which agreed to acquire Alberstons. called the tribunal unconstitutional, saying the matter should be resolved in a federal court.
The merger has faced substantial legal hurdles and comes at a time of low consumer sentiment.
Kroger has reportedly doubled the value of price cuts it has committed to making if its merger with Albertsons goes through. The grocery store operator plans to lower prices by $1 billion, a figure that's up from the $500 million in cuts it previously committed to make, Bloomberg reported Thursday (Aug.