Royal Bank Of Canada Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI) Stock

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI) had its price objective increased by equities researchers at Royal Bank Of Canada from $13.00 to $16.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an “outperform” rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada’s price objective points to a potential upside of 25.52% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on ACI. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Albertsons Companies from $20.00 to $14.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $13.00 target price (down from $22.00) on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Friday, July 24th. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $12.00 target price (down from $20.00) on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Albertsons Companies from $17.00 to $12.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Albertsons Companies from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, September 21st. 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, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $14.85.

Albertsons Companies Stock Up 1.7%

ACI opened at $12.75 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $12.17 and its 200 day moving average price is $14.23. 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 stock has a market cap 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 12 month low of $10.86 and a 12 month high of $20.00.

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

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Sharon Mccollam acquired 9,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 31st. The stock was acquired at an average price of $11.48 per share, for a total transaction of $103,320.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief financial officer directly owned 567,051 shares in the company, valued at $6,509,745.48. This represents a 1.61% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Thomas M. Moriarty bought 170,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 27th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $11.51 per share, with a total value of $1,962,455.00. Following the purchase, the executive vice president directly owned 308,946 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,555,968.46. This represents a 123.15% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have bought 218,909 shares of company stock worth $2,515,826. 1.18% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Value Investment Professionals LLC increased its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 4.6% in the third quarter. Value Investment Professionals LLC now owns 69,022 shares of the company’s stock valued at $801,000 after buying an additional 3,016 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position 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 acquiring an additional 12,922 shares during the last quarter. 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 worth $167,000 after acquiring an additional 5,235 shares in the last quarter. 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 worth $772,000 after acquiring an additional 42,015 shares in the last quarter. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $3,910,000. 71.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Albertsons Companies

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

• Positive Sentiment: Albertsons reported fiscal second-quarter revenue of approximately $18.9 billion, slightly above expectations, while adjusted earnings per share of $0.36 exceeded the $0.33 consensus estimate. Revenue was broadly stable year over year, suggesting the core business remains resilient. Albertsons fiscal second-quarter results
• Positive Sentiment: The company launched an accelerated turnaround plan focused on pricing, store operations, customer experience, and cost reductions. Management plans to expand its cost-savings program to approximately $2 billion and will hold an investor day in spring 2027, potentially providing investors with clearer long-term targets. Albertsons expanded cost program
• Positive Sentiment: Albertsons declared its regular quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share, payable November 6 to shareholders of record October 23. The annualized $0.68 dividend represents an approximately 5.3% yield, although the company’s high leverage remains a consideration for income-focused investors.
• Neutral Sentiment: Meg Whitman is taking charge as executive chair while Albertsons reviews its strategy, cost structure, and business portfolio. The review could lead to asset sales or renewed strategic interest, but its outcome and timing remain uncertain. Meg Whitman takes charge at Albertsons
• Negative Sentiment: Albertsons withdrew its fiscal 2026 outlook and paused guidance while conducting the business review. The decision increases uncertainty and signals that management may expect additional operating or earnings pressure. Bank of America reaffirmed its “underperform” rating and cut its price target from $16 to $12, citing near-term earnings risks. Albertsons suspends full-year forecasts
• Negative Sentiment: Although adjusted EPS beat estimates, reported quarterly profit fell to $51.5 million, or $0.11 per share, from $168.5 million, or $0.30, a year earlier. The sharp decline, combined with minimal revenue growth and significant debt, is reinforcing concerns about profitability and financial flexibility.

Albertsons Companies Company Profile

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.