Core Viewpoint - Albertsons Companies aims to increase its private label sales in response to the ongoing economic pressures that consumers face with grocery prices [2] Group 1: Company Strategy - The company believes that enhancing its private label offerings will help attract cost-conscious consumers during challenging economic times [2] - Albertsons discussed its strategy during the recent earnings conference call, indicating a proactive approach to adapt to market conditions [2]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong momentum and buy rankings are highlighted for investors: Tesco, Grocery Outlet, and ABB [1][2][3][4] Group 1: Tesco - Tesco is the UK's largest retailer and has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tesco's current year earnings increased by 4.6% over the last 60 days [1] - Tesco's shares gained 8% over the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 5.2% [2] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [2] Group 2: Grocery Outlet - Grocery Outlet is a high-growth, extreme value retailer with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Grocery Outlet's current year earnings increased by 1.3% over the last 60 days [2] - Grocery Outlet's shares gained 9.4% over the last three months, also outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 5.2% [3] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [3] Group 3: ABB - ABB is a leading technology company with a Zacks Rank 1 [3][4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ABB's current year earnings increased by 1.2% over the last 60 days [3] - ABB's shares gained 14.1% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 5.2% [4] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of B [4]

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Johnson Fistel, PLLP, a leading stockholder rights law firm, has initiated an investigation into certain board members and executive officers of Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: GO) for potential breaches of fiduciary duties and violations of federal securities laws. What is Johnson Fistel Investigating?Previously, a class action complaint was filed against the Company alleging that, during the Class Period from November 7, 2023 and May 7, 2024, defendants c ...

Core Insights - Food Lion Feeds' annual Gala Apple Bag campaign provided over 13.8 million meals to local families facing food insecurity, marking the second-largest total since the campaign's inception in 2014 [1][3] - The campaign ran from September 17 to October 7, 2025, with customer purchases of specially marked bags of Gala apples and cash donations at the register contributing to hunger-relief organizations [2][6] - Since the campaign began, it has generated the equivalent of more than 57 million meals for families in need [3][6] Company Initiatives - The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation awards over $1 million in grants annually to community partners focused on alleviating hunger [3][4] - The Foundation supports more than 500 local feeding partners and provides not only food but also health education and job skills training to strengthen communities [4] - Food Lion has committed to donating 3 billion meals by 2032, having already donated over 1.5 billion meals since 2014 through its hunger relief platform [7]

Core Insights - Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM) reported a 10.2% increase in comparable store sales for Q2 2025, leading to an optimistic full-year sales growth outlook of 7.5%-9% [1][8] Sales Performance - The increase in comparable store sales was driven by strong customer traffic across all product categories, sales channels, and geographies, demonstrating the effectiveness of Sprouts' merchandising strategy [2][4] - Total sales for Q2 rose by 17% to $2,220.6 million, with e-commerce sales increasing by 27%, now accounting for 15% of total sales [4][8] Long-term Confidence - A consistent two-year stack performance of approximately 15% supports long-term confidence in the company's growth trajectory [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year sales growth of 15.7% and earnings per share growth of 41.9% for the current financial year [10] Valuation Metrics - Sprouts Farmers Market's forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio is 1.07, significantly higher than the industry average of 0.24, indicating a strong valuation position [9]

Core Insights - Edible Garden AG Incorporated has begun shipping fresh potted and cut herbs to Kroger, marking a significant expansion in its distribution network and commitment to sustainable growth [2][4]. Company Overview - Edible Garden is a leader in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), focusing on locally grown, organic, and sustainable produce [5]. - The company operates advanced vertically integrated greenhouses and processing facilities in multiple locations, including New Jersey, Michigan, and Iowa [5]. - Edible Garden's products are available in over 5,000 retail locations across the U.S., Caribbean, and South America [5]. Strategic Initiatives - The partnership with Kroger aligns with Edible Garden's Zero-Waste Inspired® mission and Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative, emphasizing a shared commitment to sustainability and community-focused food systems [4]. - The company utilizes proprietary technologies, such as the GreenThumb 2.0 software and patented Self-Watering displays, to enhance product freshness and reduce environmental impact [6]. Product Offerings - Edible Garden offers a variety of fresh herbs, nutrition products, and specialty food items, including plant and whey protein powders, gourmet sauces, and fermented products [7]. - The company is recognized as a FoodTech 500 firm and is involved in Walmart's Project Gigaton sustainability initiative [7].

DRIVE CUSTOMER GROWTH THROUGH DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT Driving engagement, growth, and long-term value creation through four digital platforms. Q2 -2025 ID Sales +2.2% Digital Sales +23% Adjusted EPS $0.44 Adjusted EBITDA $848M Customers for life. Driving growth with targeted investments Accelerating acquisition, retention, and measurable results with AI-powered technology. BUILD OUR MEDIA BUSINESS Driving transparency and performance with real-time data Enabling seamless experience and amplifying partner value E ...

Core Insights - Bitcoin Depot has announced a distribution partnership with the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) to expand access to Bitcoin through grocery stores across the U.S. [1][2] - This partnership aims to enhance Bitcoin Depot's national footprint and facilitate international expansion through IGA's global network [3][4] Company Overview - Bitcoin Depot operates over 9,000 kiosks in North America, providing users with the ability to convert cash into Bitcoin in 47 states and at thousands of retail locations [5] - The company was founded in 2016 and focuses on connecting cash users to the digital financial system [5] Industry Context - IGA is the world's largest voluntary supermarket network, with over 7,500 stores globally and annual retail sales exceeding $43 billion [6] - The partnership with Bitcoin Depot allows IGA retailers to meet the growing consumer demand for digital assets, enhancing competitiveness and increasing foot traffic [4][6]

Group 1: Market Overview - Resurfaced tensions between the U.S. and China have led to a significant market reaction, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq falling over 2% due to President Trump's announcement of a 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting November 1 [1] - The tariff decision was influenced by China's aggressive stance in ongoing trade talks, including new export controls on the U.S. [1] Group 2: Defensive Investment Opportunities - In light of market volatility, investors are seeking defensive stocks to safeguard their portfolios [2] - The medical sector has been highlighted as a defensive position, with companies like Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) performing well [3] Group 3: Company Performance - Gilead Sciences and Johnson & Johnson are near their 52-week highs, with both stocks up more than 25% year to date, driven by strong drug pipelines [4] - Both companies offer attractive dividends around 2.7%, surpassing the Zacks Medical sector average of 1.47% and the S&P 500 average of 1.1% [5] Group 4: Kroger's Position in Retail - Kroger (KR) is recognized as a defensive investment, with its stock up 13% in 2025 despite earlier tariff concerns [9] - Kroger's stock trades at a reasonable 14X forward earnings multiple and under 2X sales, indicating strong value [9] - The company has shown steady growth, earning an overall "A" VGM Zacks Style Scores grade for Value, Growth, and Momentum, along with an annual dividend yield of over 2% [10] Group 5: Dividend Metrics - Kroger's annual dividend is $1.40 with a yield of 2.07%, and it has a 15.24% annualized dividend growth rate over the last five years [11] - The company's payout ratio stands at 28%, suggesting potential for future dividend increases [10][11] Group 6: Investment Outlook - Gilead Sciences, Johnson & Johnson, and Kroger are positioned as viable defensive investments, currently holding a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [12]

Core Insights - Analysts project that Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI) will report quarterly earnings of $0.39 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 23.5% [1] - Revenue is expected to reach $18.9 billion, which is an increase of 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year [1] Earnings Estimates - The current EPS estimate represents an upward revision of 1.3% over the past 30 days, indicating a collective reassessment by analysts [2] - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical research shows a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock performance [3] Key Metrics Projections - Analysts expect 'Revenues- Fuel' to be approximately $951.30 million [4] - The estimated 'Number of stores at end of quarter' is projected to be 2,267, unchanged from the previous year [5] - 'Total Square Footage - Retail Square Feet' is forecasted to reach 112.93 million, slightly up from 112.80 million year-over-year [5] Stock Performance - Over the past month, Albertsons Companies shares have declined by 6.5%, contrasting with a 4% increase in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [5] - Based on its Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), ACI is expected to perform in line with the overall market in the near term [5]