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Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Rise Late Afternoon

Consumer stocks were higher late Friday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) increasing 0.4% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 0.9%.The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index fell to 47.8 in September from 51.7 in August, larger than an expected decrease to 51.0 in a Bloomberg survey.In corporate news, Walt Disney's (DIS) ABC and Jimmy Kimmel are in discussions to renew the host's late-night show beyond the 2026-2027 season, Variety reported. Shares added 0.7%.Tesla's (TSLA) Semi truck is slated for deliveries in Europe from 2027 onwards, according to the company's Friday post on X. Tesla shares rose 0.5%.Stellantis (STLA) has signed a memorandum with Roshel, a Canadian armored vehicle manufacturer, outlining steps toward the sale of an idled car factory near Toronto, Bloomberg reported. Separately, Stellantis plans to invest over 1 billion euros ($1.16 billion) to build a new van at a factory in France as part of a larger overhaul of its European manufacturing operations, Bloomberg reported. Shares were up 2.5%.Kroger (KR) lowered its full-year identical sales growth outlook as the metric decelerated year over year in fiscal Q2 and missed market estimates, while its revenue fell short of expectations.Kroger shares were up 3.1%.RH (RH) shares were 0.2% lower following its fiscal Q2 results in the previous day.

$DIS$KR$RH$STLA$TSLA
Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Advance Friday Afternoon

Consumer stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) increasing 0.5% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 0.9%.The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index fell to 47.8 in September from 51.7 in August, larger than an expected decrease to 51.0 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.In corporate news, Kroger (KR) reported fiscal Q2 adjusted EPS Friday of $1.09, up from $1.04 a year earlier and above the FactSet consensus of $1.06. Fiscal Q2 sales were $34.62 billion, up from $33.94 billion a year ago, but below the FactSet consensus of $34.64 billion. Kroger shares were up 3.1%.RH (RH) shares rose 1.4% after it posted higher fiscal Q2 revenue.Stellantis (STLA) intends to invest more than 1 billion euros ($1.16 billion) to build a new van at a factory in France as part of a larger overhaul of its European manufacturing operations, Bloomberg reported. Stellantis shares rose 3.1%.InterDigital (IDCC) has filed a damages claim seeking 101.7 million euros ($118 million) from Walt Disney (DIS) over the alleged unlicensed use of video technology by the Disney+ streaming service, Bloomberg reported. Disney shares were adding 0.7%.

$DIS$KR$RH$STLA
Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer

Consumer stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) increasing 0.5% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 0.9%.In corporate news, Kroger (KR) reported fiscal Q2 adjusted EPS Friday of $1.09, up from $1.04 a year earlier and above the FactSet consensus of $1.06. Fiscal Q2 sales were $34.62 billion, up from $33.94 billion a year ago, but below the FactSet consensus of $34.64 billion. Kroger shares were up 2.8%.

$KR
Wire

Top Midday Stories: Rate-Hike Expectations Rise After August CPI Release; Oracle Shares Up Modestly After Strong Earnings Results

All three major US stock indexes were up in late-morning trading Friday, as oil prices fell and the latest inflation data matched expectations.The US seasonally adjusted consumer price index rose by 0.4% in August, as expected, and following a 0.1% increase in July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, rose by 0.3%, faster than the consensus estimate of a 0.2% gain and above July's 0.2% rise. The year-over-year rate for overall CPI stayed at 3.4%, while core CPI slowed to 2.4% from 2.5% the previous month. Following the release, traders priced in about a 90% chance the Federal Reserve's rate-setting committee hikes rates at its next meeting, Bloomberg reported.In company news, Oracle (ORCL) reported fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings late Thursday of $1.92 per diluted share, up from $1.47 a year earlier and above the FactSet consensus analyst estimate of $1.74. Fiscal Q1 revenue was $19.35 billion, up from $14.93 billion a year ago and above the FactSet consensus of $19.14 billion. For fiscal Q2, the company expects adjusted EPS of $1.85 to $1.93 and revenue growth of 30% to 34%. Analysts polled by FactSet expect EPS of $1.89. For full-year fiscal 2027, Oracle expects adjusted EPS of $8.10 on revenue of at least $90 billion, up from its previous guidance of adjusted EPS of $8.05. Analysts expect $8.07 EPS on revenue of $89.66 billion. Oracle shares were up 0.3% around midday.Microsoft (MSFT) intends to more than triple its global data center capacity to over 38 gigawatts in 2032, Bloomberg reported late Thursday, citing people familiar with the plans. Those plans could change as server farms take years to develop, while evolving customer preferences and new technology could reset current assumptions, according to the report.Separately, Microsoft-backed OpenAI is considering slowing development of advanced AI and hopes other AI companies do the same, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Lastly, OpenAI, Nvidia (NVDA), Oracle and Cisco (CSCO) are involved in a data center in the United Arab Emirates that will likely be revised following attacks by Iran, Reuters reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Microsoft shares were up 0.4%, while Nvidia and Cisco shares were up 0.7% and 3.4%, respectively.Adobe (ADBE) reported fiscal Q3 adjusted EPS late Thursday of $6.13, up from $5.31 a year ago and above the FactSet consensus of $6.08. Fiscal Q3 revenue was $6.76 billion, up from $5.99 billion a year ago and above the FactSet consensus of $6.69 billion. For fiscal Q4, the company expects adjusted EPS of $6.30 to $6.35 on revenue of $6.80 billion to $6.85 billion. Analysts expect EPS of $6.31 on revenue of $6.84 billion. Adobe expects full-year adjusted EPS of $24.45 to $24.50 on revenue of $26.576 billion to $26.626 billion, up from its prior guidance of adjusted EPS of $24.35 to $24.45 on revenue of $26.5 billion to $26.6 billion. Analysts expect EPS of $24.42 on revenue of $26.539 billion. Adobe shares were down 0.4%.Kroger (KR) reported fiscal Q2 adjusted EPS Friday of $1.09, up from $1.04 a year earlier and above the FactSet consensus of $1.06. Fiscal Q2 sales were $34.62 billion, up from $33.94 billion a year ago but below the FactSet consensus of $34.64 billion. The company expects full-year identical sales, excluding fuel, to rise 0.2% to 0.8%, lower than its prior guidance of 1% to 2% growth. Kroger shares were up 2.3%.Price: $154.00, Change: $+1.06, Percent Change: +0.69%

$ADBE$CSCO$KR$MSFT$NVDA$ORCL
Kroger Lowers Full-Year Identical Sales Growth Outlook Following Fiscal Second-Quarter Revenue Miss
US Markets

Kroger Lowers Full-Year Identical Sales Growth Outlook Following Fiscal Second-Quarter Revenue Miss

Kroger (KR) lowered its full-year identical sales growth outlook on Friday as the metric decelerated year over year in the fiscal second quarter and missed market estimates, while the supermarket chain's revenue fell short of expectations.The company now anticipates identical sales, excluding fuel, to increase by 0.2% to 0.8% for fiscal 2026, including a headwind of about 140 basis points from the Inflation Reduction Act. Kroger previously projected the metric to grow 1% to 2%, while the current consensus on FactSet is for a gain of 1.3%.The Inflation Reduction Act is a US law passed in 2022 that included measures to lower prescription drug costs for Medicare patients."The update reflects our first half results, together with pressures that remain in the balance of year in the opening weeks of the third quarter," Chief Financial Officer David Kennerley said during a conference call, according to a FactSet transcript.Identical sales without fuel rose 0.2% in the quarter ended Aug. 15, down from 3.4% the year before and below the Street's view of 0.8%. Overall revenue advanced to $34.62 billion from $33.94 billion, but missed the average analyst estimate of $34.64 billion."The top line was soft across the industry this quarter," Chief Executive Greg Foran said on the call. "We know that fuel over $4 has an impact on consumer spend."US retail gasoline prices averaged $4.2950 per gallon on Friday, compared with $4.1474 a week ago and $4.0116 a month prior, according to AAA motor club data that tracks fuel prices in the US.In a client note emailed last week, Oppenheimer said it expected Kroger's second-quarter identical sales to underperform amid a challenging grocery business environment, likely prompting a full-year outlook revision.The supermarket chain continues to expect adjusted earnings to be in a range of $5.10 to $5.30 per share for the ongoing fiscal year, while the Street is looking for $5.20. In the second quarter, adjusted EPS climbed to $1.09 from $1.04, surpassing the market's view for $1.06, buoyed by cost savings, robust pharmacy and fuel performance and improving e-commerce profitability, Kennerley said in the earnings release.Kroger expects identical sales without fuel to be "slightly better" in the third quarter than in the subsequent three-month period, "despite a lower sales outlook," Kennerley said on the call. The company sees additional sales headwinds in the fourth quarter, with the impact from the Inflation Reduction Act projected to rise to about 150 basis points as new high-cost drugs are added to the formulary, the CFO noted.Last month, retail giant Walmart (WMT) reported fiscal second-quarter US comparable sales growth that decelerated more than Wall Street expected amid a pharmacy-related headwind. In July, grocery chain Albertsons (ACI) lowered its fiscal 2026 earnings and identical sales outlook.Warehouse chain Costco (COST) is scheduled to release its latest financial results on Sept. 24.Price: $57.80, Change: $+0.84, Percent Change: +1.48%

$ACI$COST$KR$WMT
Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Edge Higher Premarket Friday

Consumer stocks were edging higher premarket Friday, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) up 0.7% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) advancing by 1.2%.Kroger (KR) shares were down more than 2% after the company said it now expects full-year identical sales, excluding fuel, to rise 0.2% to 0.8%, compared with its prior growth outlook range of 1% to 2%.National Beverage (FIZZ) stock was down more than 6% after the company reported a decline in fiscal Q1 earnings.RH (RH) shares were up nearly 4% after the company posted higher fiscal Q2 revenue.

$FIZZ$KR$RH$XLP$XLY
Commodities

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell Friday Amid Inflation Data Release

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.8% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 1% higher in Friday's premarket activity amid inflation data release.US stock futures were also higher, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.7%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advancing 0.7%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.8% before the start of regular trading.The US seasonally adjusted consumer price index, a measure of inflation, rose by 0.4% in August, as expected, and following a 0.1% increase in July, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.The preliminary University of Michigan consumer sentiment reading for September will be released at 10 am ET.In premarket activity, bitcoin was down by 0.3%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 0.2% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated 0.5%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) lost 0.04%.Power Play:IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) advanced 0.9%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) were inactive.Copart (CPRT) stock was up more than 6% after the company agreed to acquire ACV Auctions (ACVA) for $10.50 per share in cash, valuing the company at about $1.90 billion. ACV Auctions shares were up 44% premarket.Winners and Losers:TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) gained 1.1%, the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.7% higher, and the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was inactive. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) advanced 0.7%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 1.4%.Adobe (ADBE) shares were down 3% after the software maker provided a fiscal Q4 revenue outlook below analyst estimates at the midpoint.Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced 0.5%, while the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) and the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) were inactive. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was flat.Exelixis (EXEL) stock was down more than 3% premarket after the company said that the US Food and Drug Administration extended the review period for its new drug application for its metastatic colorectal cancer candidate, zanzalintinib, in combination with atezolizumab, by three months.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) advanced 0.7%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 2%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 2.2% lower.UBS Group (UBS) shares were up 2% in early hours activity after the company said it has accepted $7.93 billion aggregate principal amount of notes in its cash tender offers for nine series of debt securities and upsized its maximum offer amount to about $5.85 billion from $4 billion.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was up 0.4%, while the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) and the iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) were inactive. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) gained 0.4%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) were inactive.Kroger (KR) shares were down nearly 2% pre-bell after the company cut its guidance for full-year identical sales, excluding fuel.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was inactive, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was down 0.8%.Petrobras (PBR) stock was up more than 1% before market open after Reuters reported Thursday that the company plans to increase diesel prices at its refineries by roughly 1 Brazilian reais ($0.20), though the state-run oil company is waiting for government measures to protect consumers from the move.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down by 3.1% at $99.30 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was 1.8% lower at $2.78 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) declined 2.8%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) retreated 1.6%.Gold futures for November were down by 1.4% at $4,346.10 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures retreated 1.8% to $63.77 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) increased 0.9%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 1.4% higher.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$ACVA$ADBE$CPRT$EXEL$FAS$FAZ$GLD$IBB$IGM$IYE$IYH$IYJ$IYK$IYW$KR$PBR$QQQ$RTH$SLV$SOXX$SPY$UBS$UNG$USO$VDC$VHT$VIS$XLE$XLF$XLI$XLK$XLP$XLV$XLY$XRT$XSD
Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer

Consumer stocks were edging higher premarket Friday, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) up 0.4% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) advancing by 0.9%.Kroger (KR) shares were down more than 2% after the company said it now expects full-year identical sales, excluding fuel, to rise 0.2% to 0.8%, compared with its prior growth outlook range of 1% to 2%.

$KR
Asia Markets

Update: US Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell as Traders Assess More Inflation Data and Drop in Oil Prices

(Updates with economic data, recent oil price movement, world markets' overview and corporate stock movements.)US equity futures were edging higher pre-bell Friday as traders assessed the second of two key inflation reports this week and observed a drop in oil prices.Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.7% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.7%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.8% higher.The US is continuing its campaign of economic pressure on Iran and its financial connections, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying that "a large bank" will be sanctioned by the US on Monday, according to a CNBC report.Iran-backed Houthi forces have taken over the port city of Mokha in Yemen, potentially giving Iran an avenue to increase attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, which has been an alternative route for ships avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, The Associated Press reported.Traders digested the latest round of earnings, with Kroger (KR) posting higher fiscal Q2 adjusted earnings and sales.Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 3.1% at $104.32 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 3.1% lower at $99.31 per barrel.The August consumer price index, released at 8:30 am ET, rose 0.4%, compared with a 0.1% gain in the previous month, and meeting expectations in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for September, slated for 10 am ET, is expected at 51.0, down from 51.7 previously.In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 1.9% lower, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 0.6% lower, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 1.2% lower. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was up 0.7%, and Germany's DAX index was 0.7% higher in Europe's early afternoon session.In equities, Oracle (ORCL) shares were up 6.3% after the company reported late Thursday stronger-than-expected growth in fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings and sales and raised its full-year outlook. Micron Technology (MU) stock was up 1.8% after a Reuters report that the company will award its direct-labor employees in Taiwan with bonuses equivalent to 35 to 68 months of pay for fiscal 2026 after what it described as an extraordinary year. Copart (CPRT) and ACV Auctions (ACVA) shares rose 6.9% and 45%, respectively, after the two companies said Copart will buy ACV Auctions for $10.50 per share in cash, valuing the company at about $1.9 billion.On the losing side, Adobe (ADBE) shares fell 3.5% after the company late Thursday provided a fiscal Q4 revenue outlook below Wall Street's estimates at the midpoint and maintained its full-year annualized recurring revenue growth guidance. Petrobras (PBR) stock was down 1.6% after a Reuters report that the company plans to increase diesel prices at its refineries by roughly 1 Brazilian reais ($0.20). Kroger shares dropped 2.7% after the company fell short of analysts' consensus estimates for fiscal Q2 sales.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$ACVA$ADBE$CPRT$KR$MU$ORCL$PBR
Stocks Rise Pre-Bell Ahead of Key Consumer Inflation Report
US Markets

Stocks Rise Pre-Bell Ahead of Key Consumer Inflation Report

US equity markets were tracking in the green before the opening bell Friday as traders brace for a key consumer inflation report ahead of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting next week.The S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq were up 0.6% each in premarket activity. The indexes finished Thursday trading lower for the fourth consecutive session.The consumer price index report for August is scheduled to be released at 8:30 am ET. Data are expected to show that consumer inflation increased 0.4% sequentially and 3.4% annually, according to a Bloomberg-compiled consensus.Wall Street projects core CPI, which excludes volatile items such as food and energy, to rise 0.2% month over month and 2.4% year over year for August.Treasury yields were mixed, with the two-year rate gaining 0.3 basis points to 4.55% while the 10-year rate declined 0.6 basis points to 4.94%.On Thursday, government data showed that producer prices rose at the fastest pace in three months in August amid higher fuel costs. Oxford Economics predicted further upward pressure on wholesale costs as domestic diesel prices hit fresh peaks.Markets are pricing in a 68% probability that the Fed will raise the benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points at its Sept. 15-16 meeting, according to the CME FedWatch tool. The remaining odds point to another central bank pause.West Texas Intermediate crude oil dropped 3.4% to $99.02 a barrel, while Brent slipped 3.7% to $103.65.The International Energy Agency said Friday it now forecasts global oil demand to drop by 2.5 million barrels a day this year, 940,000 barrels more than its previous estimate last month, with the deadlock in US-Iran negotiations likely to delay the normalization of crude flows into 2027.On Thursday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries cut its global oil demand outlook for 2026 as high energy prices are expected to weigh on consumption.The average diesel price in the US hit a fresh record high at $6.0556 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA motor club data. The regular gas price rose to $4.2950 per gallon from $4.0116 a month ago.Iran-aligned Houthis seized control of Yemen's port city of Mocha on Thursday, military sources said, gaining further leverage over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern side of the Red Sea, Reuters reported.Friday's economic calendar also has the preliminary University of Michigan's consumer sentiment report for September at 10 am, followed by the weekly Baker Hughes oil-and-gas rig count at 1 pm.Shares of Oracle (ORCL) jumped 6.7% pre-bell as the cloud computing company reported fiscal first-quarter results above Wall Street's estimates. Adobe (ADBE) fell 3.8% as the Photoshop maker provided a fiscal fourth-quarter revenue outlook below market expectations at the midpoint.Kroger (KR) reports its latest financial results before the bell.Gold dipped 0.4% to $4,390 per troy ounce, while bitcoin decreased 0.2% to $77,001.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$ADBE$KR$ORCL
Japan

US Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell as Traders Await More Inflation Data Amid Drop in Oil Prices

US equity futures were edging higher pre-bell Friday as traders awaited the second of two key inflation reports this week and observed a drop in oil prices.Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.4% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.5%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.6% higher.The US is continuing its campaign of economic pressure on Iran and its financial connections, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying that "a large bank" will be sanctioned by the US on Monday, according to a CNBC report.Iran-backed Houthi forces have taken over the port city of Mokha in Yemen, potentially giving Iran an avenue to increase attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, which has been an alternative route for ships avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, The Associated Press reported.Traders digested the latest round of earnings, with Kroger (KR) posting higher fiscal Q2 adjusted earnings and sales.Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 3.3% at $104.06 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 3.1% lower at $99.31 per barrel.The August consumer price index, a major inflation indicator scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is seen gaining 0.4% month over month, compared with a 0.1% increase in the prior month, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for September, slated for 10 am ET, is expected at 51.0, down from 51.7 previously.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$KR
Asia Markets

US Equity Investors to Focus on August's Inflation Print as September Fed Rate Increase Probability Remains Elevated

US equity investors are expected to focus on August's inflation data and the Iran war this week as concerns surrounding price pressures heighten while Q2 earnings taper.* Friday's Consumer Price Index is set to rise by 0.4% month-over-month, according to a Scotiabank note late Friday. Core CPI, which excludes the more volatile food and energy prices, likely grew 0.3%.* The producer price index for August will be refreshed the day before CPI, and some of its components will serve as input into expectations for core personal consumption expenditures inflation, along with what is learnt from CPI after adjusting for methodological differences, per the Scotiabank note.* "Notwithstanding recent progress, an upside shock could further tip the balance toward pricing a hike that Chair Warsh's deference to markets would probably find irresistible, whereas another soft reading may not," Derek Holt, head of capital market economics at Scotiabank, said in the note.* The probability of the Federal Reserve raising its target rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.0% in September stood at 60% early Tuesday, up from 44% a month ago, according to the CME FedWatch tool. The remaining likelihood is that policy will remain on hold this month. Last Friday, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, compared with a 55,000 increase projected in a Bloomberg-compiled survey. July's tally was revised to show a gain of 21,000 from a 23,000 fall, while June's increase was adjusted upward by 11,000.* Yemen's Tehran-backed Houthis attacked energy facilities and cities in US ally Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, wounding more than 70 people and underscoring the risk of the Iran conflict escalating into a wider regional war, Reuters reported. Global benchmark North Sea Brent jumped 1.7% to $98.70 per barrel early Tuesday.* Quarterly earnings due this week include Oracle (ORCL), Adobe (ADBE), Copart (CPRT), and Kroger (KR).

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$ADBE$CPRT$KR$ORCL
Kroger Could Miss Quarterly Identical Sales Views Amid Challenging Grocery Backdrop, Oppenheimer Says
US Markets

Kroger Could Miss Quarterly Identical Sales Views Amid Challenging Grocery Backdrop, Oppenheimer Says

Kroger's (KR) fiscal second-quarter identical sales are expected to underperform market estimates amid a challenging grocery business environment, likely prompting the company to revise its full-year outlook, Oppenheimer said Thursday.The supermarket chain is scheduled to report results Sept. 11.Oppenheimer projects flat identical sales, excluding fuel, for the second quarter, compared with Wall Street's estimate of 1.1% growth."We have continued to see weaker industry data points lately, with softer growth at other conventional players from Publix to [Albertsons (ACI)], driven in part by ongoing headwinds on the pharmacy and (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) fronts and with a number of players citing a weaker consumer backdrop," Oppenheimer analysts, including Rupesh Parikh, said in a note to clients. "We also expect some adverse impact related to the Cyclospora outbreak."The brokerage projects Kroger's second-quarter earnings at $1.04 a share, versus the Street's $1.05 views, with the result likely driven by Oppenheimer's outlook for "stronger fuel profits," according to the note.The company is likely to trim guidance towards the lower end of its full-year outlook amid the tough grocery backdrop, continued pharmacy headwinds, and "still-elevated" diesel costs, the analysts said."We do not believe investors will be surprised by a (second-quarter) comp shortfall," the analysts wrote. "In addition, if management guides towards the lower end of the (full-year) range, we think this is largely already priced in."Kroger shares were up 1% in Thursday afternoon trade. The stock has lost 5.9% in value so far this year.In June, the company reiterated its fiscal 2026 outlook, including its expectations for identical sales growth, excluding fuel, of between 1% and 2%. Earlier this year, Kroger agreed to acquire food and pharmacy retailer Giant Eagle in a $1.65 billion deal."From here, we are focused on updated (full-year) guidance and more comprehensive details behind management's turnaround efforts, which we expect to hear more on at the company's investor day in late October," Oppenheimer said Thursday.Last month, Walmart's (WMT) fiscal second-quarter US comparable sales growth decelerated more than the Street expected amid a pharmacy-related headwind, while the retail giant issued a soft earnings outlook for the ongoing three-month period. Target (TGT) lifted its full-year outlook as tariff refunds helped double the retailer's fiscal second-quarter earnings year over year.Price: $58.89, Change: $+0.67, Percent Change: +1.15%

$ACI$KR$TGT$WMT
Wire

Kroger Q2 Same-Store Sales Could Miss Estimates, Oppenheimer Says

Kroger's (KR) Q2 identical-store sales, excluding fuel, could fall below expectations and management could narrow full-year guidance toward the lower end of the range amid a more difficult grocery backdrop, ongoing pharmacy headwinds, and elevated diesel costs, Oppenheimer said Thursday.The brokerage now forecasts flat Q2 Same-store sales growth, excluding fuel, versus Street expectations of 1.1%.The grocery backdrop remains challenging, with weaker industry data points, including softer growth at other conventional players, partly led by SNAP and pharmacy headwinds. Oppenheimer also expects a modest adverse impact from the Cyclospora outbreak.The brokerage said it awaits Kroger's investor day on Oct. 20 for a detailed update on turnaround efforts, timeline and longer-term financial targets.The company is scheduled to report its fiscal Q2 results on Sept. 11.Oppenheimer has a perform rating on Kroger.Shares of the company were up 1% in Thursday afternoon trading.Price: $58.82, Change: $+0.60, Percent Change: +1.03%

$KR
Wire

Kroger, Instacart Enable Option to Get Groceries, Prescriptions Delivered in Single Order

Kroger (KR) and Maplebear (CART), known as Instacart, introduced a new delivery option that allows customers to get groceries and eligible prescriptions in one order through Kroger's websites and apps, the companies said Monday.The Grocery & Prescription Delivery option is now available across nearly all Kroger banners in the US, including Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Harris Teeter, with the orders being delivered by Instacart directly to the customer's door, according to the companies.Price: $58.78, Change: $+0.88, Percent Change: +1.51%

$CART$KR
Wire

Kroger Names Chief eCommerce Officer

Kroger (KR) said Tuesday it has appointed Nate Faust as chief ecommerce officer and executive vice president, effective Sept. 1.Faust brings over two decades of experience building and scaling eCommerce businesses, most recently at Olive, the company said.Price: $55.99, Change: $-0.49, Percent Change: -0.87%

$KR
Insider Trading

Kroger Insider Sold Shares Worth $1,764,000, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Yael Cosset, Executive Vice President, on July 14, 2026, sold 30,000 shares in Kroger (KR) for $1,764,000. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Cosset has control over a total of 127,868 common shares of the company, with 127,868 shares held directly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/56873/000169441826000008/xslF345X05/ownership.xmlPrice: $56.95, Change: $-1.79, Percent Change: -3.05%

$KR
Wire

Kroger Appoints Emilee De Martino as Chief People Officer

Kroger (KR) said Thursday it named Emilee De Martino as chief people officer.De Martino succeeds Tim Massa, who will retire on Sept. 18, according to a statement.De Martino was most recently the chief people officer for international operated markets at McDonald's (MCD), the company said.Price: $57.83, Change: $+1.59, Percent Change: +2.83%

$KR$MCD
Wire

Kroger's Giant Eagle Deal Fits Long-Term Strategy, UBS Says

Kroger's (KR) acquisition of Giant Eagle fits well with the grocer's long-term strategy, though it is not expected to materially change the company's near-term financial outlook, UBS Securities said.The deal is expected to deliver cost synergies from 2028 through overhead reductions, sourcing efficiencies and supply chain consolidation, while primarily expanding Kroger's geographic footprint, according to the note Wednesday.UBS said Kroger expects the acquisition to close in the first half of 2027 with limited regulatory risk due to minimal overlap between the retailers, though it may need to divest 10 to 15 Giant Eagle stores in the Columbus, Ohio, market.The brokerage said the acquisition is not expected to affect Kroger's capital allocation plans, with the company remaining on track for $2 billion in share repurchases this year while maintaining its dividend.UBS maintained its neutral rating on the stock and a price target of $63.Kroger shares were up 2.3% in Thursday trading.Price: $57.56, Change: $+1.32, Percent Change: +2.34%

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Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Mixed Late Afternoon

Consumer stocks were mixed late Wednesday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) fractionally lower and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) rising 0.8%.In corporate news, General Motors' (GM) US vehicle sales fell year over year in Q2, with the carmaker attributing the decline in part to a smaller electric vehicle market. GM shares were down 2.1%. Separately, Stellantis (STLA) shares added 1.7% after it said Wednesday its total US sales for H1 2026 increased 5%, with momentum continuing in Q2 with the brands' total sales up 6% and June sales rising 10% year over year.FedEx (FDX) has agreed to sell its supply chain subsidiary to French shipping and logistics firm CMA CGM in a roughly $1.4 billion deal, as the parcel delivery giant continues to streamline its portfolio. FedEx shares rose 0.4%.Nike's (NKE) fiscal Q4 revenue slipped year-over-year, while earnings got a boost from expected tariff refunds. Its shares climbed 4%.Kroger (KR) agreed to buy food and pharmacy retailer Giant Eagle in a $1.65 billion deal that will expand the supermarket chain's footprint into new markets. Kroger shares rose 0.7%.

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