Positive Outlook for Albertsons Companies (ACI) Amid Industry-Wide Growth

Company Overview - Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI) is one of the largest companies in the food and drug retailing sector in the United States, offering a variety of products including beauty care, groceries, pharmacy items, and general merchandise. The company also operates fuel stations, pharmacies, coffee shops, and distribution facilities under various banners [5]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Joe Feldman from Telsey Advisory has reaffirmed an outperform rating for Albertsons Companies with a target price of $24, indicating an upside potential of over 44% from the current stock price [1]. - RBC Capital analyst Steven Shemesh has also reaffirmed an outperform rating, estimating a target price of $21, which represents an upside of over 26% from the current level. Shemesh highlights that the stock is trading at a significant discount, with a forward adjusted EBITDA multiple of 4.5x [4]. Financial Projections - Feldman has forecasted over $1 billion in adjusted EBITDA based on a 2.5% growth in identical store sales. He also projects an adjusted EPS of $0.68, supported by easing inflation and increased demand for private brands and digital product offerings. However, he notes that cash outlays on pricing, workforce, and technology may offset some financial impacts [2]. - The broader grocery industry is experiencing low-single digit growth, while U.S. Food & Beverages retail sales are projected to grow by 2%-3%, indicating a positive outlook for relevant industries [3].