The attorneys general of California, Illinois and Washington D.C. asked a federal court on for a preliminary injunction that would prevent Albertsons, which is being purchased by rival Kroger, from paying a $4 billion dividend to shareholders.
The state officials said in a court filing that Kroger, which does not yet own its rival, agreed with Albertsons that Albertsons would pay the dividend at the beginning of the merger review.
“Payment of the special dividend, in conjunction with the restrictions defendants’ merger agreement imposes on Albertsons’ ability to borrow money, likely will hamper Albertsons’ ability to compete with Kroger and other grocers, leaving shoppers facing higher prices, worse service, less innovation, closure of their local Safeway or other Albertsons supermarket, or all of the above,” they said in the filing.
Related: Sens. Lee, Klobuchar Raise Concerns Over Albertsons-Kroger Merger At Hearing
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement that he was determined to stop the $4 billion handout. “We’re not going to stop fighting to make sure that the proposed merger doesn’t harm California families, workers, and farmers,” he said.
Albertsons did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has said that it was in a strong position financially and that the dividend will not hurt it.
Featured News
DOJ and FTC Introduce Website for Reporting Anti-Competitive Healthcare Practices
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
US Congress Advances Legislation to Compel TikTok Sale
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
UK Financial Sector Advocates Enhanced Regulatory Accountability
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Google and All 50 States Defend $700 Million Consumer Settlement
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Colorado Enacts First Law to Protect Consumer Brainwave Data
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI