Retail chains on watch as Walgreens closes in on divestiture deal

• Fred's (FRED -3.5%) trades lower in a possible reaction to a DealReporter scoop indicating that the e company is not in the mix of buyers of Rite Aid (RAD +1.1%) stores.
• Kroger (KR +0.2%), Albertsons (NYSE:ABS) and an unidentified private equity firm are said to still be in the hunt.
• Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA +1%) is reported to be close to working out a divestiture deal with the FTC.