A U.S. District judge has halted the merger between the makers of Coach and Michael Kors handbags, saying it would reduce competition and hurt consumers. In her ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon noted that Tapestry Inc.

A federal judge blocked Tapestry from closing its acquisition of rival Capri, dealing a blow to their ambitions to create a house of brands that would include Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Versace and Jimmy Choo.

Consumers would have less cash in their purses if a proposed Coach-Michael Kors merger went through, the Federal Trade Commission charged. And now a federa