Market speculation of Kroger acquiring rival Whole Foods Markets sent stock in both companies rising on Thursday, but an analyst told SN Friday such a deal seemed farfetched.
"Why would Kroger want it?" Joe Feldman, an analyst with Telsey Advisory Group, said Friday when asked by SN about the speculation. "Kroger is already taking share in the space, as are others. And, it would cost a fair amount."
Whole Foods stock was up by 5% on the speculation, Thursday, that appeared to originate from a since-deleted remark on social media referencing "chatter" of a potential Kroger-Whole Foods deal. Neither company offered comment on the rumor.