Customers leave an Albertsons grocery store with their purchases in Burbank, California, July 17, 2012.
Fred Prouser | Reuters
Shares of Albertsons jumped and were briefly halted on Thursday morning, after a report that the grocery chain is discussing a merger with grocery giant Kroger.
Shares of Albertsons rose about 7% in early trading. Shares of Kroger were roughly flat.
Bloomberg reported the news early Thursday that the companies may agree to a merger as soon as this week.
The two companies could not be immediately reached for comment.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
