Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI – Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The company reported $0.48 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.05, Briefing.com reports. Albertsons Companies had a return on equity of 42.75% and a net margin of 0.26%.The company had revenue of $20.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.49 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.46 earnings per share. Albertsons Companies’s revenue was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. Albertsons Companies updated its FY 2026 guidance to 2.220-2.320 EPS.
Here are the key takeaways from Albertsons Companies’ conference call:
- Q4 adjusted EBITDA was $903 million (FY adjusted EBITDA $3.9 billion) and the company returned more than $1.8 billion to shareholders in fiscal 2025, underscoring strong cash generation and shareholder returns.
- Pharmacy headwinds—driven primarily by the Inflation Reduction Act and a moderation in GLP‑1 growth—created ~145 basis points of drag on Q4 identical‑store sales and are expected to be a ~150 bps headwind to reported sales in 2026, pressuring near‑term cadence (Q1 weakest).
- Digital penetration exceeded 10% in Q4 with 16% digital sales growth (≈90% first‑party); management highlighted AI‑driven initiatives (shopping assistant, Gateway, merchandising/labor/supply chain “four big bets”) as drivers of higher conversion, larger baskets and faster fulfillment.
- Management initiated a $2 billion, three‑year productivity program and guided fiscal 2026 to adjusted EBITDA of $3.85–$3.925 billion and EPS of $2.22–$2.32 (including ~ $600 million of buybacks), signaling confidence in margin expansion and continued capital returns.
- The company recorded a proposed nationwide opioid settlement framework of $774 million payable over nine years in Q4, creating a material legal payment obligation despite no admission of wrongdoing.
Albertsons Companies Stock Performance
Shares of ACI stock opened at $16.62 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.58, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.86. Albertsons Companies has a fifty-two week low of $15.80 and a fifty-two week high of $22.78. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $17.51 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $17.58. The company has a market capitalization of $8.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 51.92, a PEG ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 0.45.
Albertsons Companies Increases Dividend
Analysts Set New Price Targets
Several research analysts have recently commented on ACI shares. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on Albertsons Companies from $25.00 to $23.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Citigroup cut their price objective on Albertsons Companies from $26.00 to $22.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley reissued an “underweight” rating and set a $14.00 price objective (down from $20.00) on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Thursday, January 15th. UBS Group cut their price objective on Albertsons Companies from $23.00 to $20.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Monday, December 29th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $21.31.
Read Our Latest Research Report on Albertsons Companies
More Albertsons Companies News
Here are the key news stories impacting Albertsons Companies this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS beat and raised FY‑26 EPS guidance — Albertsons reported $0.48 EPS vs. $0.43 expected and gave FY‑26 adjusted EPS guidance of $2.22–$2.32, above consensus; this supports upside to earnings expectations. Albertsons Q4 2025 Earnings Call Summary
- Positive Sentiment: Shareholder returns boosted — the board raised the quarterly dividend ~13% to $0.17 and reset a $2B share‑repurchase plan, increasing cash returns that can support the stock multiple. Albertsons forecasts, raises dividend and resets buyback
- Neutral Sentiment: Revenue missed estimates and pharmacy headwinds — quarterly revenue was slightly below forecasts and IRA‑driven pharmacy pressures weighed on same‑store pharmacy sales, though digital and loyalty metrics remain constructive. Albertsons beats on Q4 earnings despite IRA pharmacy headwinds
- Neutral Sentiment: Unusual call-option buying indicates short‑term bullish interest — a surge in call volume signals some traders are positioning for further upside or event‑driven moves (supports momentum but not fundamentals).
- Negative Sentiment: Large opioid settlement increases GAAP charge — Albertsons reached a $774M national opioid settlement framework, which widened the quarter’s GAAP loss and adds legal/cash settlement risk. Albertsons reaches $774M opioid settlement
- Negative Sentiment: Analysts trim price targets and sales guidance is softer than peers — several shops cut targets (UBS, Citi, JPMorgan trims reported) and Albertsons guided annual sales below Street estimates, which can pressure the stock multiple despite positive ratings. UBS cuts ACI price target Albertsons forecasts annual sales below estimates
Institutional Trading of Albertsons Companies
Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Bank of Nova Scotia boosted its holdings in Albertsons Companies by 5.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 14,041 shares of the company’s stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 723 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 11.8% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 7,326 shares of the company’s stock worth $126,000 after buying an additional 774 shares during the period. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lifted its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 7.4% in the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 14,709 shares of the company’s stock worth $253,000 after buying an additional 1,012 shares during the period. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 22,357 shares of the company’s stock worth $481,000 after buying an additional 1,047 shares during the period. Finally, IHT Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 29,080 shares of the company’s stock worth $499,000 after buying an additional 1,131 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.35% of the company’s stock.
About Albertsons Companies
Albertsons Companies, Inc (NYSE: ACI) is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, operating a diversified portfolio of grocery store banners. Founded in 1939 by Joe Albertson in Boise, Idaho, the company has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Its core business activities encompass the sale of fresh produce, meat, bakery items, deli offerings, pharmacy services, and general merchandise. The company’s retail operations are complemented by an in-house private-label program, featuring brands such as O Organics, Open Nature, and Lucerne, which cater to a range of customer preferences and price points.
Throughout its history, Albertsons Companies has pursued growth via mergers and partnerships.
Further Reading
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