Sprouts Farmers Market Inc
Latest Sprouts Farmers Market Inc News and Updates

What Helped Whole Foods’ Top Line in 3Q16?
Whole Foods Market reported a 1.9% year-over-year (or YoY) increase in its top line, primarily driven by new store openings.

Are Kroger’s Sales Slowing in Fiscal 2016?
For fiscal 2016, Kroger reported total sales of $109.8 billion. It rose 1.3% from the previous year—the slowest sales growth since fiscal 2010.

Will Kroger’s Strong Performance Continue in 3Q16?
Wall Street analysts predicted a 13.3% YoY rise in Kroger’s earnings in 3Q16, going to $0.39 from $0.35 in 3Q15. Sales for fiscal 1H16 stood at $58.5 billion.

TFM: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
In this part of the series, we’ll conduct a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat) analysis for The Fresh Market (TFM).

Porter’s Five Forces Analysis for the US Grocery Industry
Developed by Harvard Business School professor Michael E. Porter, Porter’s Five Forces Model is used for assessing the nature of competition and attractiveness of an industry.

A Must-Read SWOT Analysis of Sprouts Farmers Market
While Whole Foods Market is struggling at the hands of giants like Kroger and Wal-Mart, Sprouts has been growing steadily in same-store sales and margins.

Why Did Food Retail Stocks Fall in September?
The food retail sector has been under pressure this year due to concerns about deflation and increasing competition.

A Look at Apollo’s Definitive Deal to Acquire The Fresh Market
Apollo Global Management (APO) announced today, March 14, 2016, that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire The Fresh Market (TFM).

Amazon’s Delivery Push Weighs on Grocers’ Stocks
Amazon (AMZN) is hitting the right chords when it comes to the grocery business. The online giant continues to invest in delivery services.

Amazon Cuts Whole Foods’ Prices amid Intense Competition
Amazon (AMZN) has slashed Whole Foods’ prices again.

Why Sprouts Farmers Market’s Ratings Have Fallen
Sprouts Farmers Market is rated a 2.4 on a scale of one (strong buy) to five (strong sell). The company’s ratings have deteriorated in the past six months.

Wells Fargo Downgraded Sprouts Farmers Market
Wells Fargo downgraded Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) to “market perform” on September 24 from “outperform.”

Wall Street’s View of Supervalu ahead of 4Q18 Results
Though Supervalu’s (SVU) stock has delivered below-average performance this year, Wall Street believes there’s scope for revival.

What Analysts Think of Sprouts Farmers Market
There were no recommendation changes from Wall Street analysts on Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) after its 4Q17 results.

Sprouts Receives a Cold Response from Investors Post-4Q17
Despite a strong performance in 4Q17, Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) stock plunged 2.3% after the company’s earnings release.

SFM’s Management Looks for More than a 20% Earnings Jump in 2018
After delivering a 15% year-over-year rise in 2017, Sprouts’ management now expects an 11.5%–12.5% YoY rise in its 2018 net sales.

More Consumer Sector Earnings Released Last Week
Home Depot (HD) announced its fiscal 4Q17 results on February 20. Home Depot’s revenue increased 7.5% YoY (year-over-year) to $23.8 billion.

Sprouts Farmers Market Records a 4Q17 Gross Margin Improvement
Sprouts Farmers Market’s adjusted diluted EPS (earnings per share) rose 23% to $0.16, outdoing Wall Street’s expectations by a cent.

Strong Comps, Above-Average Productivity Drive Sprouts’ Top Line
Sprouts Farmers Markets posted a strong 4Q17, with its sales growing more than 16% to $1.1 billion.

Sprouts Delivers 15% Top Line Growth in 2017
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) reported a 16.1% YoY (year-over-year) rise in total sales to $1.1 billion during 4Q17.

Sprouts Farmers Market Largely in Line with Expectations in 4Q17
Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) reported its 4Q17 results February 22, 2018.

Sprouts Farmers Market Stock Had a Strong Performance
Despite competitive headwinds in the retail food space, Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) stock surged 29% during 2017.

Sprouts Farmers Market: 4Q17 Earnings Preview
Sprouts Farmers Market is scheduled to release its 4Q17 results on February 22, 2018, for the three months ending on December 31, 2017.

Here’s What Drove Kroger Stock in the 2nd Half of 2017
Kroger (KR) management’s decision to withdraw its long-term guidance forced investors to wonder about the company’s long-term prospects. The stock fell 7.5% on September 8, 2017.

Sprouts Raises Guidance after Strong 3Q17
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) reported a 16.4% YoY (year-over-year) increase in total sales to $1.2 billion for the third quarter, which ended in October 2017.

Kroger Faces Rating Downgrade from Wall Street after 2Q Results
A total of 26 Wall Street analysts cover Kroger (KR). Out of these analysts, the stock has received a “buy” rating from 31% of analysts.

Kroger’s Guidance Policy Change and the Aftershock
Kroger’s (KR) stock tumbled on September 8 after the supermarket giant announced its plan to scrap the practice of providing long-term guidance.

How Whole Foods’ Price Cuts Could Impact Sprouts Farmers Market
After bleeding in the stock market in 2015 and 2016, Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) stock finally bounced back in 2017, rising 27.0% at the end of July 2017. But August turned out to be one of its worst months.

Change in Whole Foods’ Pricing Strategy Starts to Impact Grocers
Amazon (AMZN) announced the acquisition of premium organic and natural food retailer Whole Foods Market on June 16, 2017. The deal sent tremors across the food retail sector.

Here’s Why Grocery Stocks Tumbled Again in August
Grocery stocks continued their challenging run in August as online juggernaut Amazon (AMZN) closed on its acquisition of organic and natural food retailer Whole Foods Market.

Kroger Stock Has Lost More than One-Third of Its Value this Year
A challenging retail environment, continuous and rising competition, and Kroger’s inability to drive sales comps and earnings growth have weighed down on the grocer’s stock market performance.

Sprouts Farmers Market’s 2Q17 Earnings Rose 16%
SFM’s top line is expected to grow 13%–14% based on its sales comp growth of 1.5%–2.0% and 32 new store openings.

Solid Comps, New Store Openings Boost SFM’s 2Q17 Top Line
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) reported a 14.7% year-over-year increase in sales to $1.2 billion in 2Q17.

Sprouts Farmers Market’s 2Q17 Earnings Beat: Top, Bottom Lines Up
Phoenix, Arizona–based Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) reported its 2Q17 results on August 3. Total sales for SFM increased 15% year-over-year to $1.2 billion, $17.0 million more than consensus estimates.

WFM Reports 8th Consecutive Same-Store Sales Drop in 3Q17
Whole Foods Market (WFM) posted record sales of $3.7 billion, which was in line with the consensus expectations.

Despite SFM’s Cost, It Has a Better Earnings Potential than Its Peers
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) is valued at a one-year forward price-to-earnings ratio (or PE) of 26.0x, which is close to the upper end of its 52-week PE range of 20.0x–27.0x.

What Analysts Recommend for Sprouts Farmers Market before Its 2Q17 Results
According to the latest data compiled by Thomson Reuters, 52% of the analysts recommend buying SFM.

How Sprouts Farmers Market Stock Has Fared in 2017 So Far
On June 16, 2017, Amazon announced its intention to acquire Whole Foods Market for $13.4 billion. The deal bolstered Whole Foods Market’s stock price by 29%.

SFM’s Sales Comps to Remain in Positive Territory in 2Q17
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) has successfully survived deflation and rising competition, posting 40 consecutive quarters of positive sales comps.

A Preview of Sprouts Farmers Market ahead of Its 2Q17 Results
Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) is slated to release its 2Q17 results on August 3. Its total sales are expected to rise 12.9% year-over-year to ~$1.2 billion.

Wall Street’s Take on Whole Foods ahead of Fiscal 3Q17
Whole Foods Market (WFM) is covered by 24 Wall Street analysts. The company has a rating of 3 on a scale of 1 (“strong buy”) to 5 (“sell”).

Whole Foods Trades at a Premium to Most Peers Thanks to Amazon
Whole Foods has seen deterioration in its sales comps and earnings over the past few years. Its EPS fell from a rise of 16.7% in fiscal 2013 to a fall of 3.7% in fiscal 2016.

Discussing SUPERVALU’s Slide
SUPERVALU (SVU) stock fell 50% between 2015 and 2016, and its share price continues to be in the red in 2017.

Is Sprouts Farmers Market Next on the Grocery Acquisition List?
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) has gained close to 20% YTD (year-to-date) as of July 6 and is now trading at $22.54, or 15% below its 52-week high price.

Behind Kroger’s Stock Returns ahead of the Fiscal 1Q18 Results
After losing 17% in 2016, Kroger stock has fallen 12.5% on a year-to-date basis.

Inside Kroger’s Fiscal 1Q18 Expectations: An Investor Overview
Kroger (KR) will report its fiscal 1Q18 results on June 15 and is expected to post an 18.6% fall in EPS to $0.57 and total sales of $35.7 billion.

What Analysts Recommend for Sprouts Farmers Market
Of the 21 analysts who rate Sprouts Farmers Market, 57% recommend a “buy” on the company, while 43% recommend a “hold.”

SFM’s Comps Growth to Remain Muted in Fiscal 2017
Sprouts Farmers Market’s (SFM) management expects deflationary headwinds to continue at least in the first half of 2017.

How Sprouts’ Top Line Looks ahead of 1Q17 Results
After reporting top-line growth of over 20% in fiscal 2014 and 2015, Sprouts Farmers Market’s (SFM) sales rose 13% in fiscal 2016.

Sprouts Farmers Market’s Earnings to Remain Flat in 1Q17
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) is slated to release its financial results for 1Q17 on Thursday, May 4, 2017.

Whole Foods Market Rises 10% as Jana Partners Declares Its Stake
Whole Foods Market stock (WFM) spiked as much as 10% on April 10, 2017, after activist investor Jana Partners disclosed its 8.3% stake in the company.

Kroger Stock Slides 4% after Its Fiscal 4Q17 Results
Despite cruising ahead of its revenue and earnings estimates, Kroger (KR) stock fell 4.3% after reporting its fiscal 4Q17 results.

Analyst Actions after Kroger’s Fiscal 4Q17 Results
Of the 25 analysts that rated Kroger (KR), 56% recommended a “buy,” 36% recommended a “hold,” and only 8% gave a “sell” rating.

Analyzing Kroger’s Fiscal 4Q17 Sales Performance
Kroger (KR), America’s largest supermarket, reported an improvement of 5.5% in total sales to $27.6 billion during fiscal 4Q17.

Despite Challenges, SFM Delivered Industry-Leading Growth in 2016
Fiscal 2016 top line rises 13% Despite ongoing deflationary headwinds throughout 2016, Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) delivered industry-leading top line growth in 2016. The company’s total sales rose 13% to $4 billion during the year. On a 52-week basis, its sales rose 15% YoY (year-over-year), compared to the trailing-12-month top line growths of 1.7%, 4.6%, and […]

Higher Costs Hit Sprouts Farmers Market’s Margins in 4Q16
Sprouts Farmers Market reported its 4Q16 results on February 23, 2017. The company reported quarterly earnings per share (or EPS) of $0.13, outdoing analysts’ estimates by $0.01.

Sprouts Farmers Market Reported another Comps Slowdown in 4Q16
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) reported a 6% YoY (year-over-year) rise in its sales to $986 million in 4Q16, ~$11 million higher than analysts’ expectations.

Sprouts Farmers Market Beat Wall Street’s Expectations in 4Q16
Phoenix, Arizona–based Sprouts Farmers Market reported its 4Q16 and 2016 results on February 23, 2017. The results relate to the three-month period that ended on January 1, 2017.

Wall Street’s Sentiment on Kroger Stock Is Positive
In this article, we’ll look at Wall Street analysts’ recommendations and current valuations for Kroger (KR). Kroger is covered by 25 analysts.

What Does Wall Street Think about Sprouts Farmers Market?
Of the 21 analysts who rate Sprouts Farmers Market, 57% have recommended buying the company while 43% recommend holding it.

Sprouts Farmers Market Likely to Post Flat Comps in 4Q16
Sprouts thinks that the deflationary environment could impact its fourth quarter results and is expecting cost deflation of around 1% in the fourth quarter.

What’s Hampering Sprouts Farmers Market’s Top-Line Growth?
After recording more than 20% growth in fiscal 2014 and 2015, Sprouts Farmers Market’s (SFM) sales rose around 15% in the first nine months of 2016.

Sprouts Likely to Witness a Steep Fall in 4Q16 Earnings
Analysts expect Sprouts Farmers Market to post a 33% YoY decline in EPS to 12 cents per share in 4Q16.

Whole Foods Market: Lowest Analyst Ratings in Its Peer Group
Of the 26 analysts that cover WFM, 23% gave it a “buy” recommendation, 50% recommended a “hold,” and 27% recommended a “sell.”

Fiscal 1Q17 Earnings: Whole Foods Reports EPS, Misses on Revenues
Whole Foods Market (WFM) reported its results for fiscal 1Q17 on February 8, 2017. The natural food retailer reported earnings per share of $0.39, 15% lower than in fiscal 1Q16.

Comparing Supermarket Stocks: Which Is a Better Buy?
Valuations of most supermarkets have taken a hit as the companies have been severely punished in the stock markets for their poor financial performance and bleak outlooks.

Why Deflation Could Hurt Supermarket Stocks in 2017
The grocery and food retail sector remained under pressure through most of 2016 on concerns of persistent deflation and increasing competition.

WFM’s Sales Comps and Net Income Slid in Fiscal 4Q16
Whole Foods Market (WFM) reported its results for fiscal 4Q16 on November 2, 2016. The company reported a 1.7% year-over-year increase in its top line to $3.5 billion.

Fiscal 4Q16 Earnings: Whole Foods Market Reports Earnings Beat
Based in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (WFM) reported its results for fiscal 4Q16 on November 2, 2016. The company reported sales of $3.5 billion in fiscal 4Q16, which is in line with the consensus estimates.

Sprouts Farmers Market Stock Fell 11% after Its 3Q16 Earnings
Sprouts Farmers Market’s stock price fell 11.3% after the company reported its results on November 3, 2016.

Analyzing Sprouts Farmers Market’s Margins and Profitability
Despite the slowdown, Sprouts Farmers Market continues to display better margins compared to Kroger (KR) and Supervalu (SVU).

Why Sales Comps Continue to Face Deflationary Headwinds
Sprouts Farmers Market’s sales growth was driven by a 1.3% increase in sales comps and strong new store productivity during 3Q16.

Sprouts Farmers Market Beat Revenue Estimates in 3Q16
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) reported its 3Q16 results on November 3, 2016. The results relate to the three-month period ending October 2, 2016.

Deteriorating Health of SFM: Wall Street’s View, Company Guidance
Analysts expect SFM’s EPS to fall 1.2%, to $0.85, in fiscal 2016. But despite a slowdown in earnings, Wall Street is still bullish on the company.

Sprouts Farmers Market May Not Have the Best Quarter
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) is slated to release its 3Q16 results on Thursday, November 3, 2016, before the market opens. Wall Street is expecting a fall of 19.0% in EPS.

Why Whole Foods Market’s Sales Plunged and Margins Narrowed
Whole Foods Market (WFM), considered a pioneer in the US natural and organic foods industry, enjoyed robust topline growth and margins until competition heated up.

Can Whole Foods Close Fiscal 2016 on a Healthy Note?
Whole Foods Market (WFM) is slated to report its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 (4Q16) after the market closes on November 2.

Kroger’s Management Focuses on the Bigger Picture
Although Kroger’s (KR) 2Q17 results indicate a huge slowdown, the company still managed to register an improvement in its market share.

Kroger’s Same-Store Sales Face This Headwind
Kroger’s (KR) top line of $26.6 billion, a rise of 4% year-over-year, missed the consensus by $220 million.

Kroger Delivers Earnings Beat for the 11th Time
This series is an overview of Kroger’s 2Q17 results. We’ll evaluate its financial performance and look at the key drivers for its earnings beat and revenue miss.

SFM’s Updated Guidance Triggers a Slide for Supermarket Stocks
Sprouts Farmers Market’s (SFM) guidance revision ahead of the Goldman Sachs 23rd Annual Global Retailing Conference resulted in a stock price crash for the company on September 7.

A Quick Look at SFM’s Guidance Update for Fiscal 2016
Sprouts Farmers Market has displayed industry-leading earnings growth in the past few years.

Stock Market Performance and Valuations Summary: SFM versus Peers
Of the 18 analysts who have rated SFM, 12 have recommended a “buy,” and 6 have recommended a “hold.” None of the analysts have a “sell” rating on the stock.

Sprouts Farmers Market Continues with Its Steady Top Line Growth in 2Q16
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) reported a 14.4% year-over-year increase in its top line and touched the $1 billion figure in quarterly revenues for the first time in 2Q16.

2Q16 Earnings Overview: SFM Beats on Earnings, Misses on Revenue
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) reported results for fiscal 2Q16 on August 4, 2016. The value-oriented organic and natural food retailer reported a 14% year-over-year increase in adjusted diluted EPS, beating the consensus by 1 cent.

Supervalu Stock Plummeted on 1Q17 Revenue and Earnings Miss
Supervalu (SVU) reported its fiscal 1Q17 results on Wednesday, July 27, 2016. The company missed Wall Street’s estimates for both earnings and revenues.

SuperValu’s Stock Market Performance: A Peer Comparison
SuperValu’s stock is currently trading at $5.36, which is 42% below its 52-week high.
A Dismal YTD 2016 for the Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund
The Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund – Class A (FAOAX) is positioned for a consumption-driven upturn, and it has preferred tech stocks over financials.

What’s behind Kroger’s Steady Dividends and Share Buybacks?
Kroger follows a long-term financial strategy of using its cash flow from operations to repurchase shares and fund its dividends.

Kroger Approves New Repurchase Plan, Increases Dividend
On June 23, the Cincinnati-based Kroger (KR) announced a dividend of 12 cents per share, raising its quarterly dividend payments by 14%.

What Are Kroger’s Key Focus Areas for Fiscal 2017?
Kroger has been taking a disciplined approach to digital growth. It acquired Harris Teeter and Vitacost.com in 2014.

Kroger Beats Earnings Estimates for the 10th Straight Quarter
Kroger (KR) reported its financial results for fiscal 1Q17 on June 16, 2016, and beat earnings estimates for the tenth straight quarter at $0.70 per share.

What Key Strategies Does Smart & Final Follow?
Let’s discuss Smart & Final Stores’ (SFS) main strategies regarding pricing, private labels, expansion, distribution, and merchandising.

A Look at SFS’s Largest Segment: The Smart & Final Segment
Under the S&F banner, Smart & Final operated 235 stores as of March 27, 2016, in California, Arizona, and Nevada.

A Review of SGRAX’s Portfolio Changes
SGRAX invests at least 80% of its assets in equities and up to 25% in foreign issuers’ equities via depository receipts and similar vehicles.

How Do Supermarkets’ Valuations Compare?
With a one-year forward PE (price-to-earnings) multiple of 15.8x, Kroger (KR) does not have an extremely high valuation.

What to Expect from Whole Foods Market in Fiscal 2016
Whole Foods Market (WFM) is likely to see a slowdown in its top line during fiscal 2016. The organic and natural foods retailer could register sales growth of 3%–5%, according to the company’s guidance.

Sprouts’ ‘Healthy Living for Less’ Motto Boosts Its Sales
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) reported robust sales growth of 26.6% YoY in its 4Q15 revenues. Its sales stood at $930 million, beating the analysts’ estimates by $20 million.

Kroger Boosts Shareholder Returns through Dividends and Buybacks
Kroger’s (KR) investors were rewarded in 2015 by the company’s strong growth track as the it outperformed the S&P 500 Index, as well as most of its supermarket and mass merchandising peers.

What’s the Key to The Fresh Market’s Profitability?
Compared with other food retail chains, The Fresh Market’s performance in terms of profitability has been best-in-class.