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Shares of Wild Oats Markets Inc., operator of natural-food stores in 24 states and Canada, rose 2.8 percent on speculation the company may be a takeover target, analysts said.
The price rise followed Thursday’s announcement by Wild Oats that chief executive Perry Odak’s contract won’t be renewed when it expires next March. Possible acquirers include billionaire Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Cos. and Kroger Co., the largest U.S. supermarket chain, said Andrew Wolf, an analyst at BB&T Capital Markets in Richmond, Va.
Shares of Boulder-based Wild Oats climbed 48 cents to close at $17.83 on Friday. They earlier reached $18.81 and have gained 48 percent this year. Wild Oats did not immediately return a call for comment.
