Oppenheimer analysts provided their outlook on The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) ahead of the upcoming Q4 earnings release, scheduled on March 2.
The analysts expect another above-plan delivery and believe management could introduce guidance above the Street estimates. Their conservative full 2023-year EPS forecast of $4.30 remains above the Street estimate of $4.19.
According to the analysts, investor sentiment has waned toward the company lately amidst uncertainty on the approval of the ACI merger, a peaking food inflation cycle, and continued grocery share shifts to value channels.
The key focus of the call will be (1) Q4 results/2023 guide, (2) an update on the pending ACI merger, (3) a new e-commerce forecast amidst a slower shift in 2022, and (4) management’s food inflation expectations.