Albertsons Companies’ (ACI) Underperform Rating Reiterated at Bank of America

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI)‘s stock had its “underperform” rating reissued by Bank of America in a report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They presently have a $12.00 price target on the stock, down from their previous price target of $16.00. Bank of America‘s target price points to a potential downside of 5.86% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other analysts have also commented on ACI. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 26th. BMO Capital Markets lowered Albertsons Companies from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and dropped their target price for the company from $23.00 to $12.00 in a report on Friday, July 24th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated a “market perform” rating and set a $13.00 price target (down from $22.00) on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Friday, July 24th. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $12.00 price target (down from $20.00) on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $13.00 price target on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $14.62.

Albertsons Companies Stock Up 1.7%

Shares of NYSE ACI opened at $12.75 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.22, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.21. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $12.17 and a 200-day moving average price of $14.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 159.34, a P/E/G ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.40. Albertsons Companies has a 1 year low of $10.86 and a 1 year high of $20.00.

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 13th. The company reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.33 by $0.03. Albertsons Companies had a net margin of 0.08% and a return on equity of 45.59%. The company had revenue of $18.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.87 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.30 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Albertsons Companies will post 1.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Thomas M. Moriarty purchased 170,500 shares of Albertsons Companies stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 27th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $11.51 per share, for a total transaction of $1,962,455.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 308,946 shares in the company, valued at $3,555,968.46. This trade represents a 123.15% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Susan Morris acquired 39,409 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were bought at an average price of $11.42 per share, for a total transaction of $450,050.78. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 1,092,956 shares in the company, valued at $12,481,557.52. This trade represents a 3.74% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders bought 218,909 shares of company stock valued at $2,515,826 over the last ninety days. 1.18% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ACI. Value Investment Professionals LLC grew its stake in Albertsons Companies by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Value Investment Professionals LLC now owns 69,022 shares of the company’s stock valued at $801,000 after acquiring an additional 3,016 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Albertsons Companies by 126.3% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 23,155 shares of the company’s stock valued at $269,000 after buying an additional 12,922 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Albertsons Companies by 57.2% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 14,383 shares of the company’s stock valued at $167,000 after buying an additional 5,235 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Albertsons Companies by 279.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 57,049 shares of the company’s stock valued at $772,000 after buying an additional 42,015 shares during the period. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Albertsons Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at $3,910,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.35% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Albertsons Companies

Here are the key news stories impacting Albertsons Companies this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings exceeded expectations. Albertsons reported adjusted earnings of $0.36 per share, above the $0.33 consensus estimate, while revenue of $18.89 billion was slightly ahead of forecasts. Albertsons second-quarter results
• Positive Sentiment: A turnaround and potential strategic alternatives could unlock value. Albertsons is reviewing its cost structure, business portfolio and operating strategy, while reports indicate the company may again explore a sale. The company is also seeking roughly $8 billion from Kroger over the failed merger, although the timing and outcome are uncertain. Albertsons seeks damages from Kroger
• Positive Sentiment: Leadership attention is increasing. Meg Whitman is taking charge at Albertsons as the grocer attempts to execute a more aggressive turnaround, potentially improving investor confidence in the review process. Meg Whitman takes charge at Albertsons
• Neutral Sentiment: The company is emphasizing a “back-to-basics” plan. Management plans to focus on store operations, customer value, merchandising and productivity, but the benefits will depend on successful execution in a highly competitive grocery market. Albertsons turnaround strategy
• Negative Sentiment: Withdrawal of fiscal 2026 guidance raises uncertainty. Albertsons suspended its full-year forecast while conducting the review, making it harder for investors to value the business and signaling that performance may be less predictable than previously expected. GAAP net income also fell to $51.5 million from $168.5 million a year earlier. Albertsons suspends forecasts
• Positive Sentiment: The quarterly dividend was maintained at $0.17 per share. The annualized payout is $0.68 per share, providing income support while the turnaround proceeds.

About Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies, Inc is a U.S. food and drug retailer headquartered in Boise, Idaho. The company operates supermarkets, pharmacies and related retail businesses under banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, ACME, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Carrs and Haggen.

Its stores offer groceries, fresh produce, meat and seafood, bakery and deli items, household products, health and beauty products, and pharmacy services. Albertsons also provides private-label products, fuel at select locations, grocery delivery and pickup, digital shopping tools, and customer loyalty programs.

The company’s history traces to 1939, when Joe Albertson opened the first Albertsons store in Boise.