Whole Foods Market Inc says regulators will not recommend further action be taken regarding online message board postings by the company's chief executive.

The Securities and Exchange Commission had been investigating anonymous postings by CEO John Mackey on a Yahoo chat forum where he talked up his company's stock and criticized those of its rival Wild Oats, which was later acquired by the company.

The SEC said it concluded its inquiry in the matter and did not recommended that enforcement action be taken against the company or any individual.

An independent internal investigation by Whole Foods also expressed its support for the company's leadership team in October 2007. Those findings were also submitted to the SEC, Whole Foods said.

Yahoo