Kroger’s $24.6 Billion Albertsons Deal Blocked by Judges (3)

A federal judge blocked Kroger Co.’s $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons Cos., finding the takeover would lessen competition for US grocery shoppers, in a ruling that marks a likely death knell for the deal.

In a decision filed Tuesday, US District Judge Adrienne Nelson in Oregon found in favor of the US Federal Trade Commission. Just over an hour later, a Washington judge in Seattle sided with the state attorney general and blocked the deal in that state.

The FTC had argued that the proposed tie-up violates US antitrust law and that a divestiture of hundreds of ...