ACIAlbertsons Companies, Inc.
Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI) sells groceries, pharmacy services, and fuel through its chain of stores, including Albertsons, Safeway, and Jewel-Osco. The next catalyst is Nov 9, 2026 — Q3 2026 Earnings Release. The event will reveal updated financials and guidance amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny and shifting consumer demand .
- Public fact: Free cash flow (TTM) stands at $2.77B [
- Scouter has modeled bull and bear paths into the next catalyst, with a lean toward the bear.
- Past catalysts are scored in The Read: Q2 2026 Earnings Release (bear), FY26 Q1 Earnings and Kroger Merger Commentary (bear), Merger Divestiture Plan Finalization (bear), and FTC/State AG Lawsuit Update (mixed).
The Read
The stock initially declined on regulatory uncertainty surrounding the Kroger merger but fell further as divestiture plans failed to ease concerns, remained flat on in-line earnings with no merger updates, then dropped sharply on weak guidance and new investigations into the guidance cut.
The schedule
- Tue27Oct
This earnings release will test the company's ability to manage integration costs from recent mergers and its performance in a challenging retail environment. The outcome will be critical for P&L, product mix, and cash flow visibility.
- Tue26Jan
- Tue27Apr
This release will test the company's ability to sustain growth post-merger and adapt to evolving consumer demand. The outcome will be key for P&L, product mix, and cash flow management.
- Tue27Jul
This release will test the company's ability to maintain margins and execute on long-term growth strategies. The outcome will be critical for P&L, product mix, and cash flow visibility.
Past
- Tue28Jul
Actual outcome: Bear · $11.70 at outcome
Albertsons reported in-line EPS of $0.17 but significantly cut its full-year sales and adjusted EPS guidance due to softer grocery demand and cautious consumer spending. The lowered outlook, declining comparable sales, and ongoing margin pressures overshadowed digital growth, driving the stock below the bear floor as multiple law firms launched investigations into the sudden guidance cut.
- Fri1May
Actual outcome: Bear · $16.02 at outcome
Albertsons reported Q1 earnings that exactly matched analyst estimates with an EPS of $0.55, alongside news of a nationwide expansion for its DriveUp & Go curbside pharmacy pickup service. With earnings meeting expectations and a lack of significant updates regarding the contested Kroger merger, the stock remained flat as the results offered no clear directional catalyst for either the bull or bear case.
- Wed4Mar
Actual outcome: Bear · $16.60 at outcome
The stock traded significantly below the bear floor as the finalization of the divestiture plan failed to alleviate regulatory concerns regarding the Kroger-Albertsons merger. Despite the formal agreement to sell stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers, persistent antitrust scrutiny and market skepticism about the deal's ultimate approval kept the price under pressure and well below target levels.
- Thu5Feb
Actual outcome: Mixed · $17.52 at outcome
The stock initially saw a muted 1.5% decline following updates on the FTC and State AG lawsuits challenging the Kroger merger. However, persistent regulatory headwinds and growing skepticism regarding the deal's successful completion ultimately drove shares below the bear floor by late May as investors priced in a higher probability of the merger being blocked.
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