Post-earnings recap
Reported
Thu, Jul 23, 2026
EPS actual
$0.42
EPS est.
$0.52
EPS surprise
-18.45%
1-day move
-21.64%
Albertsons Companies reported an EPS of $0.42, missing expectations and resulting in a significant stock decline of 21.64%. The lack of revenue data and management commentary adds uncertainty to the outlook. Investors may be concerned about the company's performance and future prospects given this disappointing quarter.
| Metric | Actual | Expected | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPS | $0.42 | N/A | -18.45% |
| Revenue | N/A | N/A | N/A |
No transcript is on record, and the analysis is based solely on numerical results.
Albertsons Companies, Inc. is a major player in the food retail sector, operating supermarkets and grocery stores across the United States. As a consumer staples company, it plays a vital role in providing essential goods, making it sensitive to changes in consumer spending habits and economic conditions.
Last quarter
In the last quarter, Albertsons reported an EPS of $0.48, exceeding expectations by 22.14%. However, the stock declined by 3.03% the following day, indicating mixed investor sentiment despite the positive earnings surprise.
Management promises and guidance
EPS beat streak
0Q
EPS beat rate
88%
Avg EPS surprise
+11.87%
Avg 1-day reaction
-3.47%
Overall, investors are cautiously optimistic about Albertsons' upcoming earnings, given its history of beating EPS estimates. However, concerns about inflation and consumer spending may temper enthusiasm.
Bull case
If Albertsons continues its trend of beating EPS estimates and shows strong same-store sales growth, it could signal robust demand and effective cost management, leading to a positive market reaction.
Bear case
Conversely, if the company reports lower-than-expected same-store sales or gross margins, it could raise concerns about its ability to navigate inflation and competition, resulting in a negative stock reaction.
The print will turn on these.
Q1
What is the same-store sales growth rate for this quarter?
This metric will indicate how well Albertsons is retaining customers and competing in the current economic environment.
Q2
How has gross margin been affected by inflationary pressures?
Understanding gross margin trends will help assess the company's pricing power and cost management strategies.
—
Est. EPS
$0.34
Est. Rev
$86M
Impl. Move
±11.2%
Why consensus could be wrong
The Street may be underestimating the impact of Albertsons' cost-cutting measures and customer loyalty programs, which could lead to better-than-expected results.
Supporting evidence
Albertsons has consistently beaten EPS estimates in the past, indicating strong operational performance.
The options market is pricing a significant move, suggesting traders expect volatility that may not align with consensus expectations.
Key risk
If same-store sales growth exceeds 4%, it could challenge the current cautious outlook.
Pre-commit to what would confirm each case.
This quarter, the focus is on how well Albertsons can manage inflationary pressures while maintaining customer loyalty.
Bull confirmed if
A same-store sales growth rate of +5% or better would confirm strong consumer demand and effective management.
Bear confirmed if
A gross margin decline below 25% would raise concerns about pricing power and cost control.
What the market is pricing for the move.
Implied Move
±16.82%
Historical Avg
±7.3%
The options market is pricing in a significant move, suggesting that traders anticipate volatility around the earnings report.
Options are pricing ±16.8% while ACI has averaged ±7.3% over the last 8 prints — setup is pricing rich.
ATM IV
0.3%
30d HV
28.8%
Smart-money positioning from the most recent 13F filings.
Institutional
96.45%
of float
Insider
1.20%
of float
Holders
584
institutions
Top Holders· as of Jun 2026
Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.
151,818,680 sh · $1.8B
31.28%
Flat
Likely market behavior by outcome. Not investment advice.
Beat & raise
If Albertsons beats expectations, history suggests the stock could rise by an average of 4.7%, confirming the strength of its business model.
In line / cautious
If results are in line but management provides cautious commentary, the stock may see a muted reaction as investors reassess their outlook.
Miss
Should the company miss expectations, history suggests a potential decline of around 5%, reflecting investor disappointment.
The lines on the call that would change the story.
Blackrock Inc.
43,050,858 sh · $505.4M
8.87%
3.1%
Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC
18,483,179 sh · $217.0M
3.81%
1.7%
NORGES BANK
17,091,758 sh · $200.7M
3.52%
-24.4%
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP
16,125,936 sh · $189.3M
3.32%
7.4%
13F filings updated quarterly. Position deltas show change in shares vs. the prior quarter.