D.C. Circuit Allows Whole Foods Purchase Of Rival Wild Oats

WASHINGTON (CN) - The D.C. Circuit has cleared the way for Whole Foods Inc. to buy rival organic grocer Wild Oats Markets Inc. The circuit denied a request by the Federal Trade Commission to delay the $565 million sale pending appeal. The FTC sued in June to block Texas-based Whole Foods from finalizing a February agreement to buy Colorado-based Wild Oats for $18.50 per share.