Core Insights - Consistent earnings growth is important for company profitability, but earnings acceleration is more effective in driving stock prices higher [1] - Companies like The Kroger Co. (KR), Lam Research Corporation (LRCX), and Limbach Holdings, Inc. (LMB) are currently showing strong earnings acceleration [1] Earnings Acceleration Definition - Earnings acceleration refers to the incremental growth in a company's earnings per share (EPS), specifically when quarter-over-quarter growth rates increase over time [2] Importance of Earnings Acceleration - Unlike earnings growth, which may already be priced into stocks, earnings acceleration can identify stocks that have not yet attracted investor attention, leading to potential price rallies [3] Earnings Growth Trends - An increasing percentage of earnings growth indicates a fundamentally sound company, while stagnant or decelerating growth can signal consolidation or potential price declines [4] Screening Parameters for Earnings Acceleration - The screening process involves identifying stocks where the last two quarter-over-quarter EPS growth rates exceed previous periods' growth rates, with projected growth rates for the upcoming quarter also expected to exceed prior periods [5][6][7] Top Stocks Identified - The screening narrowed down to five stocks, with the top three being: - **Kroger**: A food and drug retailer in the U.S. with an expected earnings growth rate of 6% for the current year [8] - **Lam Research**: A company that designs and manufactures semiconductor processing equipment, with an expected earnings growth rate of 32.8% for the current year [10] - **Limbach Holdings**: A building systems solution company with an expected earnings growth rate of 12% over the next five years [11]

Core Viewpoint - Kroger's recent stock performance shows a decline of 1.89%, underperforming compared to the S&P 500 and other indices, but it has gained 7.88% over the past month, outperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector and the S&P 500 [1] Financial Performance - The upcoming earnings report for Kroger is expected to show an EPS of $1.44, reflecting a growth of 0.7% year-over-year, with projected net sales of $45.39 billion, an increase of 0.28% from the previous year [2] - For the full year, analysts anticipate earnings of $4.74 per share and revenue of $149.11 billion, indicating increases of 6.04% and 1.35% respectively compared to last year [3] Analyst Estimates - Recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Kroger are important as they reflect short-term business trends, with positive revisions indicating a favorable business outlook [4] - The Zacks Rank system, which incorporates estimate changes, currently rates Kroger as 2 (Buy), with no changes in the EPS estimate over the past month [6] Valuation Metrics - Kroger's Forward P/E ratio stands at 15.05, which is higher than the industry average of 14.55, indicating that Kroger is trading at a premium [7] - The PEG ratio for Kroger is currently 2.13, compared to the industry average of 1.88, suggesting that Kroger's valuation is higher relative to its expected earnings growth [8] Industry Context - The Retail-Supermarkets industry, to which Kroger belongs, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 46, placing it in the top 19% of over 250 industries, indicating strong performance potential [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - Kroger's stock is at an all-time high, up 16% year-to-date, contrasting with a 10% decline in the S&P 500 index, indicating strong performance and potential for further growth [1][2]. Group 1: Business Model and Market Position - Kroger is one of the largest supermarket chains in the U.S., operating nearly 2,800 stores under various brands, making it a leader in consumer staples [3]. - The company's focus on essential food products positions it well against potential economic slowdowns, as consumers prioritize food over discretionary spending [4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Kroger reported a 2.4% year-over-year increase in identical sales for the last quarter, reversing a previous decline of 0.8% [5]. - The company anticipates identical sales growth of 2% to 3% in 2025, with earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $4.40 to $4.80, reflecting a 3% increase from 2024 at the midpoint [7]. Group 3: Growth Drivers - Kroger's private label portfolio expanded with over 900 new items last year, contributing to positive customer responses [6]. - E-commerce delivery sales increased by 18% in Q4, highlighting the effectiveness of Kroger's digital strategy [6]. - The company's advertising and data monetization efforts have become significant profit drivers, with media sales surging 17% in 2024, generating $1.4 billion in operating profit [9][11]. Group 4: Dividend and Valuation - Kroger has doubled its quarterly dividend payment over the past five years to $0.32 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 1.9%, with expectations for further growth [12]. - The stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 15, significantly lower than peers like Walmart and Costco, suggesting an attractive valuation [14].

Core Viewpoint - Walmart and Kroger are positioned as reliable players in the retail industry, with Walmart being the largest global retailer and Kroger leading in traditional supermarkets in the U.S. [1][2] Walmart Overview - Walmart's business model is diversified, generating revenues from physical stores, digital platforms, advertising, and memberships, enhancing customer engagement and higher-margin revenue streams [6][7] - In Q4 of fiscal 2025, Walmart's global e-commerce sales increased by 16%, supported by strong store-fulfilled pickup and delivery services [7] - Nearly 60% of Walmart's U.S. sales come from groceries, highlighting its leadership in food retail, with Walmart International projected to reach $200 billion in gross merchandise value [8][9] - Walmart faces challenges such as cost pressures from tariffs and economic uncertainty, but its strategic adaptability and operational scale position it well for long-term success [10] Kroger Overview - Kroger focuses on customer-centric strategies, high-quality fresh food, and an expanding private-label portfolio, achieving a 2.4% increase in identical sales in Q4 of fiscal 2024 [11] - Digital sales surged by 11% in the fiscal fourth quarter, driven by initiatives like the Boost membership program and customer fulfillment centers [12] - Kroger generated $1.35 billion in operating profit from alternative profit streams in fiscal 2024, with Kroger Precision Marketing becoming a vital growth engine [13] - Despite facing high inflation and cautious consumer spending, Kroger's focus on groceries and digital presence positions it favorably [14] Earnings Estimates and Valuation - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Walmart's fiscal 2026 EPS indicates a projected year-over-year increase of 3.6%, while Kroger's estimate points to growth of 6% for fiscal 2025 [15] - Kroger's stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 14.96x, significantly lower than Walmart's 34.67x, indicating a more attractive valuation [16] - Kroger's stock has gained 25.5% over the past six months, outperforming Walmart's 10.9% drop, making it a compelling investment opportunity [18] Conclusion - Kroger emerges as a smarter buy for value-focused investors due to its lower valuation, stronger recent performance, and optimistic earnings growth outlook, while Walmart offers long-term stability but faces short-term challenges [19]

Core Viewpoint - Kroger may be riskier now than in many years, suggesting a shift in the grocery retail landscape that could impact investor confidence [1] Group 1: Company Analysis - Kroger's current risk profile is highlighted, indicating potential challenges that may affect its stock performance [1] - BBB Foods is presented as a more favorable grocery stock option for investors, implying a comparative analysis of growth potential and stability [1] Group 2: Market Context - The discussion reflects broader trends in the grocery industry, emphasizing the need for investors to reassess their positions in light of changing market dynamics [1]

Group 1 - Kroger Co has reclaimed its March highs and is up over 10% year-to-date, finding strong support at its 50-day moving average during recent volatility [2] - The large call open interest at the 65 strike is set to expire after April, which may allow the stock price to move higher in the coming months [2] - The stock's gamma-weighted Schaeffer's open interest ratio (SOIR) is above 1.0, historically indicating price bottoms [3] Group 2 - There is potential for upgrades as nine out of twenty analysts have a "hold" or worse rating on Kroger [4] - Short interest is currently 322% higher than levels in November 2024, representing 5.8% of the stock's available float, indicating a significant short position [4] - The recommended call option has a leverage ratio of 7.1, which could double with a 13.6% rise in the underlying shares [4]

Company Overview - The Kroger Co. is undergoing a significant transformation in the grocery industry, focusing on plant-based products and technological advancements [11] - The company has acquired Home Chef and partnered with Ocado to enhance its online ordering and delivery capabilities [11] - Kroger has introduced Kroger Ship for grocery delivery and has collaborated with Nuro for driverless car delivery services [11] Investment Ratings - Kroger is rated 2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, indicating a positive outlook [12] - The company has a VGM Score of A, suggesting strong overall performance across value, growth, and momentum metrics [12] Performance Metrics - Kroger's shares have increased by 3.3% over the past four weeks, indicating positive momentum [12] - Five analysts have revised their earnings estimates upward for fiscal 2026, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate rising by $0.02 to $4.74 per share [12] - The company has an average earnings surprise of 2.6%, reflecting its ability to exceed earnings expectations [12] Conclusion - With a solid Zacks Rank and high Momentum and VGM Style Scores, Kroger is positioned as a strong candidate for investment consideration [13]

Joe Kelley Named SVP of Retail Divisions Kenny Kimball Named Smith's Division President Chris Albi Named King Soopers Division President Kendra Doyel Named Food 4 Less Division President CINCINNATI, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced several appointments of experienced enterprise leaders to retail roles. Kroger appointed Joe Kelley, president of the Colorado-based King Soopers & City Markets division, to be senior vice president of Retail Divisions. Kelley is an indu ...

Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.Even ...

The Retail-Wholesale group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Kroger (KR) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.Kroger is one of 210 companies in the Retail-Wholesale group. The Retail-Wholesale group currently sits at #9 within the Zacks Sector Rank. T ...