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

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI) had its target price upped by research analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $13.00 to $16.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an “outperform” rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada’s target price suggests a potential upside of 25.52% from the company’s current price.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Citigroup restated a “neutral” rating and set a $11.00 price target (down from $17.00) on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Monday, July 27th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $12.00 price objective on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Albertsons Companies from $20.00 to $14.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Wednesday, August 26th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reissued a “market perform” rating and set a $13.00 target price (down from $22.00) on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $14.85.

Albertsons Companies Price Performance

NYSE ACI opened at $12.75 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $12.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $14.23. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.22. The company has a market cap of $6.19 billion, a PE ratio of 159.34, a PEG 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 quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 13th. The company reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.87 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.30 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Albertsons Companies will post 1.65 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Susan Morris purchased 39,409 shares of Albertsons Companies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was acquired 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 directly owned 1,092,956 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $12,481,557.52. This trade represents a 3.74% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Sharon Mccollam purchased 9,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 31st. The shares were bought at an average price of $11.48 per share, with a total value of $103,320.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief financial officer owned 567,051 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,509,745.48. This trade represents a 1.61% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders acquired 218,909 shares of company stock worth $2,515,826. 1.18% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in Albertsons Companies by 144.3% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,767 shares of the company’s stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 2,225 shares during the last quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Albertsons Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $66,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in shares of Albertsons Companies by 2,406.4% during the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 5,113 shares of the company’s stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 4,909 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Albertsons Companies by 170.9% during the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,585 shares of the company’s stock worth $95,000 after purchasing an additional 3,523 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new position in shares of Albertsons Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at $85,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.35% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines 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.

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.