Kroger's first-quarter earnings may get boost from pharmacy sales, but Albertson's deal unlikely to close soon, analysts say

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Kroger reports first-quarter earnings before the bell on Thursday.

Kroger Inc.’s first-quarter earnings scheduled for release early Thursday may enjoy a boost from the company’s pharmacy business, according to BMO Capital Markets.

Analyst Kelly Bania said an analysis of data from analytics and market research company IRI, proprietary BMO sales index analysis and food-at-home CPI, among other sources, found that pharmacy sales and diabetes treatments boosted peer comparable sales in the first quarter. “Express Scripts drug pricing model is unsustainable for Kroger and consumers; access to affordable prescriptions and wellness services remains company’s top priority,” Kroger said in a statement.

Morgan Stanley said same-store sales are at risk of missing consensus, based on NielsenIQ correlations, and is expecting margins are facing more downside risk than upside risk.the larger/scaled grocers . But some cracks areare picking up from discounters,” analysts wrote in a note to clients.Louis Navellier, founder of Navellier & Associates, said he expects Kroger to offer a window into the health of consumer spending and the state of the retail sector.

S&P Global Ratings said in a May note that the prospects for approval “seem dimmer than when it was initially announced, but our base-case assumption that the deal will eventually close remains unchanged.”

 

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