Albertsons shareholders to vote... Colgate-palmolive completes 84% of purchase... Metro Group's profit down... US chain acquired...

US chain vote
US number two supermarket chain Albertsons has announced that shareholders will vote on its proposed acquisition at the end of this month. Albertsons revealed in January that a consortium led by SuperValu would acquire the group for $17.4bn.

Tom's buyout
Colgate-Palmolive has completed the purchases of 84% of US natural oral and personal care products company Tom's of Maine for about $100m. Reuben Mark, chairman and CEO of Colgate, said: "We are excited to move forward on this opportunity to enter the fast-growing naturals category with Tom's of Maine."

50% sale
Heinz has sold its 50% ownership in Heinz-UFC Philippines to its partner Nutri Asia for an undisclosed sum. It said Heinz products would continue to be sold in the Philippines through various agreements, focusing primarily on the sale of cooking and table sauces.

Profit falls
German supermarket chain Metro Group's first-quarter earnings before interest and tax fell 4.3% to E138m on sales up 4.8% to E13.3bn. Dr Hans Joachim Korber, chairman and chief executive, said that although its international operations had performed well, it was continuing to feel "purchasing restraint" in Germany.

Marsh sold
US regional supermarket chain Marsh Supermarkets has been acquired by MSH Supermarket Holdings, an affiliate of private investment firm Sun Capital Partners, in an all cash transaction of $11.125 a share. The transaction values the chain, which operates more than 200 stores in Indiana, Illinois and western Ohio, at $88m.

Rising costs
US milk and dairy products company Dean Foods' first-quarter profit to March 31 fell 14% to $52.8m on sales up 1% at $2.59bn. It blamed the drop on restructuring charges, and rising costs.