10.01.08
The Federal Trade Commission on Monday (August 11) reopened its antitrust investigation into Whole Foods Market Inc.’s purchase of Wild Oats Markets.
An order from the commission indicates it’s taking another look at the matter and has scheduled a conference for Aug. 18 that will establish a schedule for the investigation.
Austin-based Whole Foods completed its $565 million purchase of Boulder, Colo.-based Wild Oats in August 2007.
Prior to the closing of the deal, the FTC had tried to stop it. That move was blocked by a federal judge who refused to issue an injunction to halt the merger.
On July 29, a federal appeals court ruled that that judge had erred in denying the FTC’s request. That decision has prompted the government to reopen the antitrust case.
Despite the setback, Whole Foods’ stock climbed more than 4 percent on Monday to close at $19.50 a share.
—Austin Business Journal, 8/11/08
An order from the commission indicates it’s taking another look at the matter and has scheduled a conference for Aug. 18 that will establish a schedule for the investigation.
Austin-based Whole Foods completed its $565 million purchase of Boulder, Colo.-based Wild Oats in August 2007.
Prior to the closing of the deal, the FTC had tried to stop it. That move was blocked by a federal judge who refused to issue an injunction to halt the merger.
On July 29, a federal appeals court ruled that that judge had erred in denying the FTC’s request. That decision has prompted the government to reopen the antitrust case.
Despite the setback, Whole Foods’ stock climbed more than 4 percent on Monday to close at $19.50 a share.
—Austin Business Journal, 8/11/08