Group 1: Market Overview - The market has seen impressive gains, but not all stocks have benefited equally, with some stocks at 52-week lows presenting attractive risk-reward setups for rebound [1] - Short-term fundamentals for these stocks may be weak, but their long-term outlook remains strong, with earnings growth expected to improve materially in 2025 [1] - Companies can enhance stock value through strategies like increasing buybacks, making these stocks appealing for contrarian investors [1] Group 2: Intel (INTC) - Intel experienced an 80% return in 2023 but has since underperformed, currently being one of the poorest performers in the S&P 500 [2] - The company reported a $7 billion operating loss in its foundry business, with a break-even point now expected in 2027, which disappointed investors [2] - Intel aims to become a leading integrated device manufacturer, investing heavily in R&D and manufacturing to regain its competitive edge [3] - The U.S. government supports Intel's ambitions with $8.5 billion from the CHIPS Act and potential additional funding of $11 billion [3] - Management has announced $15 billion worth of business, indicating progress in its IDM 2.0 strategy [3] Group 3: Albertsons (ACI) - Albertsons is at a 52-week low despite a merger agreement with Kroger, which has faced regulatory challenges [4] - The FTC has sued to block the merger, but there is still a likelihood that it will close, especially after divestiture plans were announced [4][5] - Analysts upgraded Albertsons to "buy," citing increased probability of the merger closing, with potential upside of over 30% for shareholders [5] - ACI stock trades at 7 times forward adjusted EBITDA, indicating it is a bargain opportunity [5] Group 4: Yum China (YUMC) - Yum China is facing challenges due to a sluggish economic recovery in China, impacting consumer discretionary spending [6] - The company operates 15,022 restaurants and plans to expand to over 20,000 by 2026, supported by urbanization and a rising middle class [6] - There is significant growth potential in the $625 billion Chinese restaurant market, with chains accounting for only 18% of restaurant spending compared to 61% in the U.S. [6] - Yum China boasts restaurant margins exceeding 18% and plans to return over $3 billion to shareholders between 2024 and 2026 [7] - The stock is trading at 16 times forward earnings, making it another candidate for rebound [7]

Colleen Michaels/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) operates grocery stores and drug stores in the United States with brands such as Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, and multiple others. Since an IPO in 2020, Albertsons’ stock has returned around 75%. The company’s story has seen changes in the past years due to an acquisition offer by Kroger (KR). The acquisition offer has since gone under FTC scrutiny and is expected to likely fail when comparing the stock pri ...

Core Insights - Rokt has partnered with Albertsons Media Collective to enhance customer engagement through non-endemic advertising, allowing brands not sold by Albertsons to reach its ecommerce customers [1][2][3] - The partnership aims to drive customer loyalty and improve the shopping experience by delivering relevant offers during the transaction moment, which is when customers are most likely to respond [2][3] - Albertsons will utilize Rokt's technology to expand its advertising capabilities across its own channels and Rokt's network of premium ecommerce merchants [3][4] Company Overview - Rokt is a leading ecommerce technology company that leverages machine learning and AI to enhance transaction relevance, processing over 5 billion transactions annually across various industries [4][5] - Albertsons Media Collective is a retail media network that connects with consumers in over 2,200 locations across 34 states, focusing on innovative marketing solutions and first-party data to drive retail sales [6]

Core Insights - Kimco Realty reported a net loss of $18.9 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for Q1 2024, compared to a net income of $283.5 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in Q1 2023, primarily due to a one-time special dividend received in the previous year [1][4][21] Financial Performance - Funds From Operations (FFO) for Q1 2024 was $261.8 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, including $25.2 million in merger-related charges [5][24] - Same Property Net Operating Income (NOI) grew by 3.9% year-over-year, driven by a 2.8% increase in minimum rent [2][7] - The company achieved a pro-rata portfolio occupancy of 96.0%, with anchor and small shop occupancy rates at 97.8% and 91.5%, respectively [2][7] Acquisition and Disposition Activities - Kimco completed the $2.3 billion acquisition of RPT Realty on January 2, 2024, and disposed of ten former RPT properties for $248 million, achieving its 2024 disposition target [2][3][8] - The acquisition of RPT resulted in a $60.6 million increase in consolidated revenues from rental properties [4] Capital Market Activities - The company repaid unsecured notes totaling $646.9 million during Q1 2024 and has no remaining unsecured debt [9] - Kimco sold 14.2 million shares of ACI common stock, generating $299.1 million in net proceeds [9] Dividend Declarations - The board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per share, payable on June 20, 2024 [10] 2024 Full Year Outlook - The company updated its guidance for 2024, projecting net income of $0.40 to $0.44 per diluted share and FFO of $1.56 to $1.60 per diluted share [11][12]

Before considering which stocks to buy if inflation continues, it’s good to remember the relationship between inflation and interest rates. The latest reading on CPI and PPI shows that the declining inflation rate may be ramping back up.  The takeaway is that the Fed is less likely to lower interest rates, which puts pressure on equities. But while some stocks will struggle, others are built to shine during rising inflation. These are the companies that deliver the products and services that consumers need ...

We've seen a very volatile stock market in recent weeks. That's created an opportunity to buy these three winners at bargain prices.While it's bounced back a little in recent trading days, the stock market is still off all-time highs. Moreover, some great stocks that sold off have remained down. This is despite their high-quality businesses that should generate profits that reward investors for many years to come.Instead of lamenting their lack of bouncing back, investors shouldn't miss out on the chance to ...

Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI) reported mixed fourth-quarter fiscal 2023 results, wherein earnings were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while sales missed the same. Additionally, on a year-over-year basis, the company’s top line increased marginally but the bottom line declined.ACI’s focus on operational excellence, digital expansion, pharmacy operations and customer relationships represent a comprehensive strategy for growth and competitiveness. However, results were partly hurt by the challen ...

Core Viewpoint - Kroger and Albertsons are increasing the number of grocery stores sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers to address federal regulators' concerns regarding their proposed $25 billion merger, now involving the sale of an additional 166 stores [1][2]. Group 1: Updated Divestiture Agreement - The updated divestiture agreement will see C&S pay approximately $2.9 billion in cash for the stores, an increase from the original $1.9 billion payout [1]. - The new agreement will result in C&S acquiring a total of 579 stores, along with access to the Albertsons Signature and O Organics private label brands [1]. Group 2: Regulatory and Employment Commitments - Kroger's CEO emphasized that the updated plan ensures no store closures due to the merger, all frontline associates will remain employed, and existing collective bargaining agreements will continue [2][4]. - The agreement aims to maintain industry-leading healthcare and pension benefits for associates, alongside bargained-for wages [4]. Group 3: C&S Wholesale Grocers' Perspective - C&S Wholesale Grocers' CEO expressed confidence that the expanded divestiture package will provide the necessary resources for the stores to continue serving their communities effectively [4]. - C&S looks forward to integrating storied banners, quality private label brands, and experienced retail associates into its operations [4]. Group 4: Legal and Market Concerns - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and eight states have filed a lawsuit to block the merger, citing concerns over potential price increases, store closures, and job losses in the grocery market [6]. - Union representatives have raised concerns about C&S's ability to maintain store operations without adequate IT infrastructure and customer loyalty [8].

As ongoing financial challenges have grocery shoppers more cautious about their purchasing, many are seeking out digital rewards. In its fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2023 financial results, Albertsons Companies shared that increases in digital engagement led its growth, with identical sales up only 1% year over year in Q4 but digital sales up 24%. Central to this growth was the chain’s loyalty program, which saw its membership grow by 16% to nearly 40 million.“We delivered another solid quarter amids ...

Core Insights - Albertsons and Kroger are divesting more locations to secure regulatory approval for Kroger's $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons [1] - The revised divestiture agreement with C&S Wholesale Grocers includes the sale of 160 additional locations, bringing the total to 579 [1] - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) previously deemed the initial divestiture plan inadequate [1] Financial Performance - Albertsons reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.54, surpassing estimates [1] - Revenue for Albertsons increased by 0.4% to $18.34 billion, which fell short of forecasts [1] - CEO Vivek Sankaran indicated that the company faces ongoing challenges, including rising associate wages, prior year food inflation, and declining COVID-related income [1] Market Reaction - Albertsons shares declined by 0.4% to $20.26, with a nearly 12% drop year-to-date [1] - Kroger shares remained stable but have increased by approximately 24% in 2024 [1]