Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI) Stock Rating Cut to “Neutral” at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI) was downgraded by research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, Briefing.com reports. They currently have a $14.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.‘s price objective points to a potential upside of 7.24% from the stock’s previous close.

ACI has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Citigroup reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $11.00 price objective (down from $17.00) on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Zacks Research raised Albertsons Companies from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, September 21st. Barclays cut their price target on Albertsons Companies from $17.00 to $12.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Wednesday, August 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Albertsons Companies from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $14.62.

Albertsons Companies Trading Up 2.6%

Albertsons Companies stock opened at $13.05 on Thursday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $12.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.89. Albertsons Companies has a 12 month low of $10.86 and a 12 month high of $20.00. The stock has a market cap of $6.34 billion, a P/E ratio of -118.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.40.

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI) last posted its quarterly 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 negative net margin of 0.06% and a positive return on equity of 52.17%. The business had revenue of $18.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.87 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.30 earnings per share. Albertsons Companies’s revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Albertsons Companies will post 1.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Albertsons Companies

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Albertsons Companies

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its position in shares of Albertsons Companies by 2,707.5% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 123,867 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,111,000 after acquiring an additional 119,455 shares during the period. WINTON GROUP Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,910,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,531,000. III Capital Management increased its position in shares of Albertsons Companies by 78.9% during the fourth quarter. III Capital Management now owns 215,370 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,698,000 after purchasing an additional 95,000 shares during the period. Finally, VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al bought a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $3,658,000. 71.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Albertsons Companies News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Albertsons beat second-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings expectations, reporting $0.36 per share versus the $0.33 consensus, while revenue of $18.89 billion was slightly above forecasts. Management also outlined an expanded cost-reduction program targeting approximately $2 billion in savings and plans to hold an investor day in spring 2027. Albertsons Second-Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada raised its price target from $13 to $16 and upgraded the stock to “outperform,” signaling confidence that the ACI Edge turnaround strategy and business review could unlock value.
• Positive Sentiment: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share, equivalent to $0.68 annually and an approximately 5.2% yield, which may support income-oriented investors.
• Positive Sentiment: Albertsons announced plans for a new store in Valley Center, California, expected to open in spring 2028. The location should add long-term sales, pharmacy revenue and local jobs, though the financial effect is distant. Albertsons Valley Center Store Announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: New executive chair Meg Whitman is taking a more active role as Albertsons reviews its strategy, cost structure and business portfolio. The review could lead to asset sales or other strategic changes, but its outcome remains uncertain.
• Negative Sentiment: Albertsons withdrew its fiscal 2026 outlook while conducting the review, reducing visibility for investors. The company cited the need to move faster on its turnaround as it addresses mixed margins and weaker consumer spending.
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the adjusted earnings beat, reported profit declined sharply year over year, revenue was essentially flat, and the company posted a negative net margin. Bank of America reaffirmed its “underperform” rating and cut its price target from $16 to $12, warning of near-term earnings pressure.

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.