Whole Foods Rises After Boosting Annual Forecasts

Whole Foods Market Inc., the largest U.S. natural-goods grocer, surged the most in more than three months after raising its annual forecasts, buoyed by freer-spending consumers prepared to pay for healthy food.

Earnings will be as much as $1.80 a share in 2011, the company said yesterday after markets closed. That compared with a previous target of as much as $1.71. The Austin, Texas-based grocer also raised its sales growth forecasts for the year, citing increasing consumer confidence.