Midwest Air Group (AMEX:MEH) shares rose $0.79, or 5.37%, to $15.49 today after the airline finally agreed to be bought out by TPG after long-time rival AirTran (NYSE:AAI) conceded defeat. Shareholders are happy that such a deal was completed amid concerns that AirTran's hostile bid might through the entire deal up in the air. Currently, shares are trading approximately $1.50 below the buyout price.

Midwest agreed to be bought out in a $450 million deal valuing its shares at $17 each to be paid in cash. The company's management originally opposed any kind of a deal, especially one with AirTran; however, after 60% of its shares were tendered in favor of a deal the company decided to explore its options. Midwest's Chairman and CEO called the deal a "milestone" for the company, adding that he was happy the airline could be kept in Wisconsin.

TPG is a veteran airline investor that has had previous stakes in names like Continental Airlines, America West Holding Corp., and Ryanair Holding Corp. The investment group said it plans to provide the company with additional industry experience as well as expand its partnership with Northwest, whose stake is rumored to be around 40%.

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In a largely expected move, exchange holding Borse Dubai offered $4 billion - all cash - for Nordic exchange operator OMX, easily topping Nasdaq Stock Market Inc.'s (NASDAQ: NDAQ) cash and stock offer valued at $3.7 billion.

Though Borse Dubai already has almost a 30% stake in OMX, which operates exchanges in countries such as Sweden and Iceland, some shareholders may resist the deal not because of its value but its origin. A buyout by a Middle Eastern, government controlled holding company may be especially unappealing to the Swedish government which has a 6.6% stake in the company.

Nasdaq CEO Bob Greifeld is allegedly planning to travel to Sweden to meet with management and key shareholder of OMX, and Nasdaq said it remains fully committed to its offer.

Borse Dubai Chairman Essa Kazim had a different message, saying "This combination [of Borse Dubai and OMX] will establish OMX as the [Borse Dubai] group's global platform, building on OMX's leading technology and strong brand to position it to become one of the fastest-growing major exchange networks in the world."

Borse Dubai officials have been in Sweden all this week trying to win over OMX management and shareholders as well.

"We are prepared to give it financially full backing, to grow it and turn it into a truly global exchange," Borse Dubai Chairman Kazim said.

Though there are still many hurdles, the lure of the wealth of oil money behind the phrase "financially full backing" may prove too much for OMX to resist in the long-run, especially if Borse Dubai sweetens its offer.

Despite obviously jeopardizing the Nasdaq-OMX deal, Nasdaq shares are actually up today on continued speculation that there is a possibility of a three-way deal between Nasdaq, OMX, and Borse Dubai. And this makes NDAQ a stock worth watching!

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Late afternoon yesterday, federal judge Paul Friedman rejected the Federal Trade Commission's request to block Whole Foods Market Inc.'s (NASDAQ: WFMI) proposed acquisition of Wild Oats Markets Inc. (NASDAQ: OATS).

The FTC had argued that the half-billion dollar deal would stifle competition in the already niche organic foods sector, but Whole Foods countered that their true competition is now general supermarkets which have increased their organic products offerings.

Chairman and CEO of Whole Foods John Mackey said in a statement, "The District Court's ruling affirms our belief that a merger between Whole Foods and Wild Oats is a winning scenario for all stakeholders. We believe the synergies gained from this combination will create long-term value for customers, vendors and shareholders as well as exciting opportunities for team members."

The FTC can still try to block the deal by seeking a stay from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or the district court, though all FTC Competition Director Jeffrey Schmidt would say is "we are reviewing our options."

In the meantime, Wild Oats shares are up nearly 18% to $17.90 and Whole Foods shares are up almost 5% to $43.22.

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