Amazon’s iRobot Deal to Be Blocked by EU Antitrust Watchdog (4)

Amazon.com Inc.’s proposed $1.4 billion acquisition of Roomba maker iRobot Corp. is expected to be blocked by the European Union’s antitrust regulator over concerns that the deal will harm other robot vacuum makers.

The e-commerce giant was told the deal was likely to be rejected at a meeting Thursday with officials from the European Commission, according to people familiar with the matter. A final decision still needs formal approval from the EU’s political leadership and is due by Feb. 14.

Amazon declined to comment. Shares in Bedford, Massachusetts-based iRobot sank as much as 31% to $16.30 on ...