Oppenheimer analyst Brian Nagel views the outlook for office products retail and its leading chains as "more and more precarious," following the decision of a federal judge to side with the Federal Trade Commission and halt the proposed merger of Staples (SPLS) and Office Depot (ODP). Both companies have already announced intentions to focus on internal opportunities and plans to restructure their operating models, which should lead to better bottom-line trends, nearer term, the analyst tells investors in a research note. He adds, however, that top-line growth will remain a challenge, given significant competition and product cycle dislocations. Nagel also notes that he believes that the blocking of this merger could set a precedent for the retail group on whole, viewing a combination of either AutoZone (AZO) or O'Reilly Auto (ORLY) with Advance Auto Parts (AAP) as less than likely.