Closure to the Whole Foods Market Merger Saga

UPDATE (8/23): The US Court of Appeals court denied the FTC's appeal to block the WFM & OATS merger. Whole Foods Market is now free to complete its merger with Wild Oats. As a WFM stockholder and vested marketer, I'm pleased. Phew. The end. Next.

UPDATE (8/17): The FTC is appealing the court ruling which okay'd the merger between WFM & OATS. So the saga will continue.

Despite all the hullabaloo from wide-ranging anti-competitive sentiments to wild-ass antics from John Mackey, a federal judge has ruled in favor of Whole Foods Market (WFM) by refusing to block its merger with Wild Oats (OATS). This ruling means WFM can finalize its merger with OATS.

Or does it? The Wall Street Journal is reporting the FTC hasn't confirmed it would not file an appeal.