Albertsons Wins Ruling in DC on $4 Billion Dividend Payout

Albertsons Cos. won a ruling in Washington DC that would allow it to pay a $4 billion dividend, announced when the grocery chain agreed to merge with rival Kroger Co., although a Washington state judge’s order blocking the payout remains in force.

US District Judge Carl Nichols on Tuesday denied a request for a temporary restraining order from attorneys general for Washington DC, California and Illinois who sued to halt the dividend until an antitrust review of the proposed merger is completed.

Nichols rejected the claim by the attorneys general that the companies violated antitrust laws by agreeing to pay ...