For Kroger, Food Deflation Headwinds Subside As Wal-Mart Competition Picks Up


27% profit every 20 days?

This is what Nic Chahine averages with his option buys. Not selling covered calls or spreads… BUYING options. Most traders don’t even have a winning percentage of 27% buying options. He has an 83% win rate. Here’s how he does it.


In anticipation of Kroger Co (NYSE: KR)'s Q3 report on Thursday, BMO Capital Markets analyst Kelly Bania maintains a Market Perform rating and a $35 price target for the food retailer, while slightly adjusting her thesis.

Analyst's Take

ENTER TO WIN $500 IN STOCK OR CRYPTO

Enter your email and you'll also get Benzinga's ultimate morning update AND a free $30 gift card and more!

The analyst downgraded the stock in August to address the accelerating food deflation. Although Bania anticipates the deflation turning around following October’s trough and deceleration is likely, the increased volume Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has gained may be a headwind for Kroger and other food retailers.

“We believe the competitive dynamics from industry-leader WMT may be shifting,” said Bania. “This analysis suggests that Wal-Mart’s implied grocery volumes have accelerated in the past few quarters.”

At time of writing, shares of Kroger were trading down by more than 1 percent at $33.28.

Image Credit: By mcsquishee [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

27% profit every 20 days?

This is what Nic Chahine averages with his option buys. Not selling covered calls or spreads… BUYING options. Most traders don’t even have a winning percentage of 27% buying options. He has an 83% win rate. Here’s how he does it.


Posted In: Analyst ColorNewsReiterationAnalyst RatingsMoversBMO Capital MarketsKelly Bania