BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Nvidia Confirms Major OpenAI Investment Amid AI Funding Race 
Pentagon and Anthropic Clash Over AI Safeguards in National Security Use 
Boeing Secures New Labor Contract With Former Spirit AeroSystems Employees 
Apple Faces Margin Pressure as Memory Chip Prices Surge Amid AI Boom 
Amazon Stock Dips as Reports Link Company to Potential $50B OpenAI Investment 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Explores Merger Options With Tesla or xAI, Reports Say 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Kroger is aiming to buy its rival, Albertsons, to form a massive grocery chain in the United States. The former is investing $24.6 billion in the takeover.
If Kroger and Albertsons merge, their combined value will be around $50 billion thus, they will really create a gigantic grocery business in the U.S. As per CNBC, the deal is an all-cash transaction. When the merger was first reported, the information about it was still confidential and only shared by people familiar with the matter.
Shares of Albertsons soared when the news of its deal with Kroger made headlines on Thursday, Oct. 13. It became apparent that the talks about the acquisition between the companies were already deep when the Cinncinati, Ohio-based retail firm released a statement confirming the merger.
The Kroger Company announced its definitive merger agreement with Albertsons. The companies said their deal establishes a national footprint to serve the country's citizens with fresh and affordable food.
"We are bringing together two purpose-driven organizations to deliver superior value to customers, associates, communities and shareholders," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who will continue serving as Chairman and CEO of the combined company press release. "Albertsons Cos. brings a complementary footprint and operates in several parts of the country with very few or no Kroger stores.
He added, “This merger advances our commitment to build a more equitable and sustainable food system by expanding our footprint into new geographies to serve more of America with fresh and affordable food and accelerates our position as a more compelling alternative to larger and non-union competitors.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders blasted the Kroger and Albertsons merger and called the deal an “absolute disaster.” he is now calling on the White House to stop the acquisition.
In a tweet, the senator said, “At a time when food prices are soaring as a result of corporate greed, it would be an absolute disaster to allow Kroger, the 2nd largest grocery store in America, to merge with Albertsons, the 4th largest grocery store in America.”
