Here's Every Whole Foods Rumor Of 2016

Whole Foods Market, Inc. WFM had the rumor mill working overtime the whole of 2016 and the rumors were mostly centered on the M&A front, with the company being touted as a takeover target.

Although the stock has seen small bounces around the breakout of each rumor, it is in the red for the year-to-date period. The lackadaisical showing of the stock can be traced to the industry-wide issues plaguing food retailers.

As the year draws to the close, Benzinga chronicled the Whole Foods rumors that swirled around the Street and kept investor interest piqued:

• Though not related to M&A, as early as March this year, the stock rose intra-day and gave back its gains before ending almost flat. The move came after there was market chatter the company might be losing market share to Costco Wholesale Corporation COST and Kroger Co KR.
• On April 28, the stock topped the $30 barrier before pulling back and settling just below the level amid unconfirmed speculation that some traders were discussing activists' interest in it.
• The stock was once again in the spotlight on June 14, when it fell roughly 3 percent despite speculation that the company said in a reply to the FDA letter that it takes violations seriously.
• The company had to wait only less than a month for another rumor to break out. On July 1, Benzinga Newsdesk sensed several rumors about the company. The trading community speculated that Publix Super Markets Inc. PUSH could make an offer for Whole Foods.
• Again on September 8, the stock bounced around, with traders quick to note that renewed takeover chatter was proving salubrious for the stock.
• In less than a month on October 6, the stock rose 2 percent on the chatter over purported interest in the company.
• The very next day, there was a rumor reported in dealReporter suggesting a Kroger takeover of Whole Foods may not materialize.
• On November 4, Bloomberg reported that Whole Foods may be looking to sell itself.
• November 11 saw the rumor of the company receiving an unsolicited bid from a hedge fund manager. However, Business Insider, which had quoted SumZero, said a hedge fund manager has laid out short story on the company.
• Whole Foods is in the news yet again on Thursday, as M&A chatter is once again heard.

At time of writing, Whole Foods was up 1.43 percent at $31.66.