Short Interest in Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) Increases By 24.1%

Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 44,438,060 shares, a growth of 24.1% from the December 31st total of 35,797,603 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 13,190,244 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.4 days. Currently, 8.8% of the company’s stock are sold short. Currently, 8.8% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 13,190,244 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.4 days.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Albertsons Companies news, EVP Michael T. Theilmann sold 49,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.63, for a total value of $863,870.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 289,429 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,102,633.27. This represents a 14.48% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Albertsons Companies

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of ACI. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 103.5% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,435 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 730 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 130.4% in the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 1,461 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 827 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its position in Albertsons Companies by 185.1% in the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,628 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 1,057 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP grew its position in shares of Albertsons Companies by 98.4% during the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,702 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 844 shares during the period. Finally, NBC Securities Inc. increased its stake in shares of Albertsons Companies by 91.2% in the 4th quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 1,855 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 885 shares during the last quarter. 71.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Albertsons Companies Stock Performance

NYSE:ACI traded up $0.33 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $17.78. The stock had a trading volume of 6,981,002 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,663,381. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.47, a PEG ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.36, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.20. Albertsons Companies has a 1-year low of $15.80 and a 1-year high of $23.20. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $17.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.16.

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 7th. The company reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $19.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.18 billion. Albertsons Companies had a net margin of 1.06% and a return on equity of 38.00%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.71 earnings per share. Albertsons Companies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.080-2.16 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Albertsons Companies will post 2.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Albertsons Companies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 23rd will be given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 23rd. Albertsons Companies’s dividend payout ratio is currently 38.71%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Monday, December 29th. Barclays dropped their price objective on Albertsons Companies from $19.00 to $17.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Albertsons Companies from $21.00 to $20.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Albertsons Companies from $23.00 to $21.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Albertsons Companies has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $21.58.

About Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies, Inc (NYSE: ACI) is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, operating a diversified portfolio of grocery store banners. Founded in 1939 by Joe Albertson in Boise, Idaho, the company has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Its core business activities encompass the sale of fresh produce, meat, bakery items, deli offerings, pharmacy services, and general merchandise. The company’s retail operations are complemented by an in-house private-label program, featuring brands such as O Organics, Open Nature, and Lucerne, which cater to a range of customer preferences and price points.

Throughout its history, Albertsons Companies has pursued growth via mergers and partnerships.