Appeals court OKs Whole Foods merger

AUSTIN, Texas and BOULDER, Colo. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Thursday cleared the way for Whole Foods Market Inc. and Wild Oats Markets Inc. to proceed with their merger. The Court has denied the Federal Trade Commission's request for a stay to preclude the closing of the merger pending the FTC's appeal and has dissolved the Aug. 20 administrative injunction, which had prevented the transaction from going forward while the court considered the FTC's motion.

"We are pleased to have cleared what we expect to be our last legal hurdle," said John Mackey, chairman, ceo, and co-founder of Whole Foods Market. "We look forward to closing this merger and believe the synergies gained from this combination will create long-term value for our customers, vendors and shareholders as well as exciting opportunities for our new and existing team members."