Grocery store chain Albertsons Companies Inc (NYSE:ACI) is 3% lower to tr, extending its long-term choppy price action on the charts. The shares have struggled since hitting a 12-month high of $23.20 on April 3, and are now clinging to their 5% year-to-date gain. More losses may be in store, too, as the equity nears a historically bearish trendline.Per Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White, ACI is now within 0.75 of the 200-day moving average's 20-day average true range (ATR), after remaining ...

Company Overview - Albertsons Companies, Inc. is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, operating thousands of stores under multiple regional banners [6] - The company has a vertically integrated business model, including in-house food manufacturing and distribution, which supports its scale and efficiency [6] - Albertsons generates revenue primarily through in-store retail sales, pharmacy services, fuel sales, and its own manufacturing and processing of food products [9] Financial Performance - For the trailing twelve months (TTM), Albertsons reported revenue of $81.72 billion and a net income of $870 million [4] - The company has a dividend yield of 3.27% [4] - In the third quarter, net sales rose by 1.9% to $19.1 billion, with identical sales increasing by 2.4% and digital sales jumping by 21% [11] Recent Developments - On February 17, 2026, Parsifal Capital Management disclosed a sale of 4,239,655 shares of Albertsons, with an estimated transaction value of $75.60 million [1][2] - Following the sale, Parsifal's holding in Albertsons decreased from approximately 10.9% to 3.48% of its 13F assets under management (AUM) [8] - As of February 17, 2026, shares of Albertsons were priced at $18.47, reflecting a decline of 7.7% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 20.48 percentage points [8] Market Position and Strategy - The sale of shares indicates a strategic shift for Parsifal Capital Management, moving away from a defensive grocery operator to potentially higher growth investments [10] - Despite the share price decline, Albertsons maintains appeal for long-term investors due to its cash flow durability and scale across more than 2,200 stores [12] - The company reiterated its full-year identical sales growth forecast of 2.2% to 2.5% [11]

Core Insights - ACI Worldwide, a leader in global payments technology, is participating in the MIT Sloan Fintech Conference where Philip Bruno will discuss the role of AI in commerce [1] Company Overview - ACI Worldwide is recognized as an original innovator in the global payments technology sector [1] Event Details - Philip Bruno, the chief strategy and growth officer of ACI Worldwide, will speak on a panel titled "Agentic Commerce: When AI Starts Buying" [1] - The conference is scheduled for February 20 in Cambridge, Massachusetts [1] - The panel will explore the emerging trend of AI agents making purchasing decisions in digital ecosystems [1]

Core Viewpoint - Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) is actively engaging in innovative advertising strategies through its participation in the OpenAI Ad Pilot Program, aiming to enhance customer experience and brand value [1][2]. Group 1: AI Strategy and Advertising - Albertsons Companies, Inc. announced its involvement in the OpenAI Ad Pilot Program, which is an initiative to test new advertising formats in ChatGPT for a more personalized customer experience [1]. - The Chief Commercial Officer, Jennifer Saenz, emphasized that this program provides a unique opportunity to connect consumers with products effectively through digital integration [2]. Group 2: Market Ratings and Financial Outlook - Guggenheim maintained a Hold rating on Albertsons Companies, Inc. as of January 23, while Morgan Stanley downgraded the stock to Underweight from Equal Weight on January 15, reducing the price target from $20 to $14 due to concerns over pharmacy pressures and market share loss [3]. - The competitive landscape in the grocery sector is intensifying, with increased e-commerce partnerships and promotional activities noted as contributing factors to the company's challenges [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Albertsons operates as a food and drug retailer in the US, offering a variety of products including natural and organic groceries, health and beauty items, and pharmacy services through both physical stores and digital channels [4].

Group 1 - ACI Worldwide announced the deployment of ACI Connetic, a unified cloud-native platform for UK banks, enabling integration of SWIFT, CHAPS, and Faster Payments [1] - The platform aims to reduce operational complexity and enhance resilience, allowing banks to modernize and innovate in response to regulatory changes and customer expectations [1] - ACI Connetic is designed for institutions of all sizes, providing a modular architecture that streamlines integration and accelerates implementation timelines [1] Group 2 - ACI Worldwide will report its financial results for Q4 and full year 2025 on February 26, 2026, with a conference call scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Eastern time [2] - The company's annual Global Ecommerce Report indicated that global retail refund volumes surged by 18.1% in 2025, with a 12.7% increase in refund value year-on-year [2] - ACI Worldwide's predictions highlight that most global payments leaders are unprepared for significant disruptions expected in 2026, driven by AI, new regulatory frameworks, and demand for secure payments [2]

Core Viewpoint - Albertsons Companies Inc. shares are currently trading at $18.65, reflecting a 0.43% increase, with a monthly increase of 7.22% but a yearly decrease of 10.03, raising questions about the stock's valuation despite the company's current performance [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - The current share price of Albertsons Companies Inc. is $18.65, with a 0.43% increase in the current session [1] - Over the past month, the stock has increased by 7.22%, while it has decreased by 10.03% over the past year [1] Group 2: P/E Ratio Analysis - The P/E ratio of Albertsons Companies Inc. is 11.64, which is lower than the aggregate P/E ratio of 19.19 in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry [3] - A lower P/E ratio may suggest that shareholders could perceive the stock as likely to perform worse than its industry peers, or it could indicate that the stock is undervalued [3] - The P/E ratio is a critical metric for long-term investors, as it compares the current share price to the company's earnings per share (EPS) [2]

Core Insights - Albertsons Companies is advancing its AI strategy by participating in the OpenAI Ad Pilot Program [1] Company Developments - The involvement in the OpenAI Ad Pilot Program signifies a strategic move towards integrating artificial intelligence in advertising efforts [1]

Core Viewpoint - Albertsons Companies Inc. has launched a digital platform named Celebrations to assist customers in planning various events, integrating shopping for party-related products and planning tools in one location [1][2]. Group 1: Platform Features - The Celebrations platform supports planning for occasions such as birthdays, baby showers, bridal events, and seasonal holidays [2]. - Customers can browse themed collections, order custom cakes, select catering options, and utilize checklists for organizing purchases [2]. - The platform offers delivery and curbside pickup options in select locations [2]. Group 2: Integration and Technology - The platform incorporates an artificial intelligence shopping assistant that provides product suggestions and aids in navigating planning options [3]. - Alcoholic beverages are included in the offerings where permitted by law [3]. Group 3: Product Offerings - Celebrations features products from Albertsons' private-label brands, including Overjoyed and Signature Select [4]. - Customers have the option to add personalized notes to orders and send items as gifts [4]. Group 4: Accessibility - The Celebrations platform can be accessed through participating Albertsons-branded apps and websites under the "Shop more" section [4]. - Albertsons operates over 2,200 locations across the U.S. [4].

Core Insights - Albertsons Cos. has launched a new digital platform called Celebrations aimed at simplifying the planning of special life events [1] Company Overview - The Celebrations platform is designed to provide users with a faster, easier, and more inspiring way to plan significant moments in their lives [1]

Core Viewpoint - ACI Worldwide will report its financial results for Q4 and full year 2025 on February 26, 2026, indicating a focus on transparency and communication with stakeholders [1] Financial Reporting - The financial results will cover the fourth quarter and the full year of 2025, showcasing the company's performance over a significant period [1] - A conference call will be held at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on the same day to discuss these results, emphasizing the company's commitment to engaging with investors [1] Access Information - Interested parties can access a real-time teleconference webcast through the company's investor relations website, indicating the company's efforts to provide accessible information to stakeholders [1] - For those wishing to join the live audio call, a specific dial-in number is provided, facilitating direct communication with management [1]