Kroger is ‘committed’ to defending the Albertsons merger, and stock surges

Shares of Kroger Co. were having their best day in two years on Thursday, after the grocery chain reported quarterly profit beat expectations, and said it remains committed to its proposed purchase of Albertsons Companies Inc. despite pushback from regulators.

The company’s comment about the Albertsons merger comes about a week after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued to block the merger, saying it would reduce competition, raise grocery prices and hurt workers. Several states have joined the FTC’s suit.

“While…