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US regulators approve Wal-Mart sale of McLane unit

WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - U.S. antitrust enforcers said on Tuesday they had approved Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s (NYSE:WMT - News) plans to sell its grocery distribution unit to Warren Buffett's (News) Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRKa - News)

The U.S. Federal Trade commission said that after a preliminary investigation, authorities decided not to oppose the the sale of the McLane Co. Inc. subsidiary.

Wal-Mart announced on May 2 that it planned to sell McLane for about $1.5 billion, passing off a slower-growing business that could thrive under new owners.

The world's biggest retailer said the deal to sell McLane would allow it to focus "completely" on its retail business. Wal-Mart expects the deal will trim its earnings for the next two years.