A critical hearing over Kroger’s proposed $25 billion takeover of Albertsons is beginning to wind down in a federal court. So what’s next?

Kroger will report second-quarter earnings on Thursday before the market opens. The report comes as the supermarket giant is fighting in court to defend its $25 billion merger with rival Albertsons. The antitrust hearing started on Aug.

Kroger generates more than $1 billion in profits annually from collecting consumer data and using it for targeted advertising.

The Federal Trade Commission is challenging Kroger’s acquisition of Albertsons, saying their merger would be anticompetitive. The Washington Examiner will take a deeper look at what this lawsuit and potential merger would do to food prices — particularly on the cusp of the November election.