USLegal Reporter

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Thursday denied the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) request to delay the merger of Whole Foods Market, Inc. and Wild Oats Markets, Inc pending its appeal based on claims of antitrust violations relating to the transaction. The court held that the FTC failed to prove that an earlier decision by U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman refusing to block the acquisition was in error.

Source: http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2007/08/federal-appeals-court-allows-whole.php; http://www.wholefoods.com/investor/pr07_08-23.html

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia today delayed the merger of Whole Foods Market, Inc. and Wild Oats Markets, Inc. to further review the transaction and its antitrust implications. In issuing the temporary stay, the court noted that its actions should not be interpreted as a ruling on the merits of the acquisition.

On Friday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) appealed a district court’s decision to allow the transaction to go forward. Whole Foods must respond by Wednesday to the FTC’s request and the FTC must in turn respond by Thursday.

Source: http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2007/08/federal-appeals-court-puts-hold-on.php

The Federal Trade Commission today filed an appeal of the D.C. District Court ruling that allowed Whole Foods Market, Inc. to purchase Wild Oats Markets, Inc. The FTC contends that the merger of the two rival organic food stores would increase prices due to less competition.

According to Whole Foods, it must offer prices competitive with other grocery stores that now offer organic food products. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman denied the FTC’s previous request to prevent the purchase, finding no antitrust violations. Whole Foods has agreed to delay closing until August 20th.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/17/AR2007081701074.html