Looking back on grocery store stocks’ Q4 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Albertsons (NYSE: ACI) and its peers.

Grocery stores are non-discretionary because they sell food, an essential staple for life (maybe not that ice cream?). Selling food, however, is a notoriously tough business as grocers must deal with the costs of procuring and transporting oftentimes perishable products. Plus, the costs of operating stores to sell everything from raw meat to ice cream and fresh fruit are high. Competition is also fierce because grocers and other peers such as wholesale clubs tend to sell very similar brands and products. On the bright side, grocery is one of the least penetrated categories in e-commerce because customers prefer to buy their food in person. Still, the online threat exists and will likely increase over time rather than dwindle.

The 4 grocery store stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.7%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 1.7% on average since the latest earnings results.

Albertsons (NYSE: ACI)

With over 20 well-known grocery banners spanning 34 states, Albertsons (NYSE: ACI) operates food and drug retail stores across the US, offering groceries, pharmacy services, and own-brand products under banners like Safeway, Jewel-Osco, and Vons.

Albertsons reported revenues of $19.12 billion, up 1.9% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, and overall, it was a satisfactory quarter for the company with a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but gross margin in line with analysts’ estimates.

"Fiscal 2025 was a year of disciplined execution and resilience, as we closed the year with a solid fourth quarter that delivered strong Adjusted EBITDA despite meaningful top-line pharmacy-related headwinds," said Susan Morris, CEO of Albertsons Companies.

Albertsons delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. Even though it had a relatively good quarter, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 10.5% since reporting and currently trades at $15.08.

Is now the time to buy Albertsons? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Grocery Outlet (NASDAQ: GO)

Due to its differentiated procurement and buying approach, Grocery Outlet (NASDAQ: GO) is a discount grocery store chain that offers substantial discounts on name-brand products.

Grocery Outlet reported revenues of $1.17 billion, up 3.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. The business had a strong quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 21.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $9.38.

Is now the time to buy Grocery Outlet? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Sprouts (NASDAQ: SFM)

Playing on the secular trend of healthier living, Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ: SFM) is a grocery store chain emphasizing natural and organic products.

Sprouts reported revenues of $2.33 billion, up 4.1% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a mixed quarter as it posted a narrow beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

Interestingly, the stock is up 4.9% since the results and currently trades at $74.65.

Read our full analysis of Sprouts’s results here.

Kroger (NYSE: KR)

With a sprawling network of over 2,400 locations offering digital pickup services, Kroger (NYSE: KR) operates supermarkets, pharmacies, and fuel centers across 35 states, offering customers groceries, household items, and private-label products.

Kroger reported revenues of $46.12 billion, up 2.2% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced full-year EPS guidance slightly topping analysts’ expectations but a miss of analysts’ gross margin estimates.

Kroger scored the biggest analyst estimate beat among its peers. The stock is down 8.8% since reporting and currently trades at $58.47.

Read our full, actionable report on Kroger here, it’s free.

Market Update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Strong Momentum Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.