Reports that merger talks between Ahold and Belgian retailer Delhaize have been suspended sent stock in each retailer down in morning trade today (16 October).

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Ahold shares were down 1.93% to EUR8.11 at time of press, while Delhaize shares lost 1.48% to trade at EUR63.15 per share.
The two supermarket chains have supposedly suspended talks due to friction between the negotiators and recent media reports, Belgian daily De Tijd reported on Saturday, referring to industry and financial sources.


De Tijd said that the two companies had not closed the door to future talks.


Meanwhile, citing anonymous sources, Dutch daily Het Financieele Dagblad today reported the management of each group had paused to review documents associated with the talks.


A spokesperson for Delhaize declined to comment on the reports, while Ahold told just-food that the company was unable to comment on “market rumour and speculation”.

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