Hedge Fund Manager Says Ackman Shorting Whole Foods 'Doesn't Seem Likely'

Lemelson Capital Management Chief Investment Officer Rev. Emmanuel Lemelson told Benzinga that it doesn’t seem likely that Pershing Square CEO Bill Ackman would take a short position in Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFM).

He said that Whole Foods would hardly be a sure thing to short, and Pershing Square seems to have a preference for verifiable and important problems in business it shorts.

“While Whole Foods’ share price is expensive, it cannot be said that the shares are radically overpriced. And given the firm’s long history of consistent and growing earnings, financial strength, remarkable brand equity and loyal customer base,” Lemelson added.

Shares of Whole Foods are trading slightly higher today at $53.35.

Brianna Valleskey contributed to this report.