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Update 2:40pm: Adds Kroger comment, Axios Pro report on timing for FTC review.
The Washington State Attorney General is expected to sue in state court to block the proposed acquisition of Albertsons (NYSE:ACI) by Kroger (NYSE:KR).
Neither the FTC or other states are expected to be part of the new lawsuit, Bloomberg reported.
Kroger (KR) told Reuters in a statement on Thursday that “any decision to attempt to enjoin the transaction now would be premature.”
Last month, six lawmakers sent a letter to the FTC asking the agency to block the $25B deal.
Separately on Thursday Axios Pro reported that the FTC isn’t likely to decide until next month on whether it will challenge the Albertsons (ACI) deal in court. The FTC has a timing agreement with Kroger (KR) and Albertsons that expires in February.
Dealreporter on Friday said that the supermaket chains are unlikely to reach a deal with the FTC regarding their pending merger by the Jan. 17 deadline, although the parties continue to negotiate the terms of a deal.