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ACI vs WMK
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Albertsons Companies (ACI) vs. Weis Markets (WMK) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ACI (Albertsons Companies) is a national grocery and pharmacy operator with roughly $82 billion in annual revenue, while WMK (Weis Markets) is a regional Mid-Atlantic grocer generating about $5 billion in annual revenue.
- Both companies are delivering positive comparable-store sales growth, but each is navigating distinct pressures: pharmacy and deflation headwinds for Albertsons, and margin and earnings compression for Weis Markets.
- Albertsons is scaling digital, loyalty, and AI-driven productivity initiatives while returning significant capital to shareholders; Weis Markets is focused on store expansion, price investment, and e-commerce growth.
- Weis Markets disclosed a restatement of prior financials related to overstated inventory, a governance event that has weighed on investor sentiment in recent months.
- The two names represent very different risk-reward profiles: a high-liquidity, diversified national chain versus a smaller, family-influenced regional operator.
Introduction
Investors comparing ACI and WMK are effectively weighing two very different approaches to the same defensive sector: food retail. One is a national footprint spanning dozens of banners and 34 states; the other is a tightly focused regional chain rooted in the Mid-Atlantic. This stock comparison is most relevant to traders and investors evaluating relative performance, market positioning, and the trade-off between scale and regional specialization. Both companies operate in a mature, low-margin industry where execution, pricing discipline, and cost control tend to drive long-term returns, making the contrast between them a useful lens for understanding grocery-sector dynamics in the current environment.
ACI Overview and Recent Performance
Albertsons Companies (ACI) is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, operating more than 2,200 stores alongside in-store pharmacies, fuel centers, and distribution facilities under banners such as Safeway, Jewel-Osco, and Vons. In recent quarters, the company has posted modest but steady comparable-store sales growth while contending with notable pharmacy headwinds tied to the Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare drug pricing changes and a shift in prescription mix. Management has cited deflation in some grocery categories and continued pressure among lower-income customers as additional drags on unit volumes.
Offsetting these challenges, Albertsons has leaned on digital and loyalty momentum. Digital sales have grown at a double-digit pace in recent periods, digital penetration has surpassed 10%, and loyalty membership has expanded beyond 50 million. The company has also raised its productivity targets and increased its quarterly dividend, while executing substantial share repurchases. Sentiment has remained cautious, however, reflecting pharmacy headwinds and a competitive, increasingly promotional grocery landscape.
WMK Overview and Recent Performance
Weis Markets (WMK) is a regional supermarket operator founded in 1912, running roughly 200 stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, and Virginia. The company differentiates itself through self-distribution, its own manufacturing facilities, and a focus on local customer loyalty. In its most recent fiscal year, Weis Markets grew total revenue by about 3.5% and comparable-store sales excluding fuel by roughly 2.1%, supported by significant price investments, record capital expenditures, and a 21% increase in e-commerce sales.
Despite the top-line gains, profitability has softened. Full-year net income declined by double digits as pricing investments and operating costs outpaced sales growth, and earnings per share (EPS) fell versus the prior year. The company also completed a restatement of historical financial statements related to the incorrect recording of certain overstated inventory amounts, a development that has drawn attention from investors. Sentiment has cooled accordingly, with the shares experiencing a notable decline over the trailing year even as the underlying store-level sales trend remained constructive.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The most striking contrast between ACI and WMK is scale. Albertsons generates roughly sixteen times the revenue of Weis Markets and enjoys economies of scale in procurement, distribution, and technology. That scale also brings greater exposure to structural pharmacy pressures and a larger, more complex store base. Weis Markets, by contrast, is a concentrated regional operator whose fortunes are tied more closely to Mid-Atlantic consumer health and store-expansion execution.
From a momentum standpoint, both companies have posted positive comparable-store sales, but their earnings trajectories diverge. Albertsons has protected profitability through productivity gains and cost discipline, while Weis Markets has absorbed margin compression as it prioritizes price investment and store investment. Risk profiles also differ: Albertsons carries a meaningful debt load alongside its capital-return program, while Weis Markets faces the reputational and analytical friction of its financial restatement. Sector exposure is similar on the surface, but the drivers, competitive intensity, and market positioning of each name are materially different.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, earnings stability, and the breadth of active catalysts, Tickeron's AI framework would likely view ACI as the more balanced candidate at present. The company's diversified footprint, growing digital and loyalty engine, disciplined cost programs, and steady capital returns provide a comparatively more consistent fundamental profile. In contrast, WMK carries favorable store-level sales momentum but faces softer earnings and lingering uncertainty from its restatement, which may weigh on trend stability. This assessment is probabilistic rather than definitive and reflects relative positioning across momentum, stability, and catalysts rather than a prediction of future returns.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is ACI is a Hold and WMK is a Hold.
ACI sees its Stochastic Oscillator ascends from oversold territory
On November 02, 2026, the Stochastic Oscillator for ACI moved out of oversold territory and this could be a bullish sign for the stock. Traders may want to buy the stock or buy call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 61 instances where the indicator left the oversold zone. In 32 of the 61 cases the stock moved higher in the following days. This puts the odds of a move higher at over 52%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
ACI moved above its 50-day moving average on October 08, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for ACI crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 15, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 5 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 33%.
Following a +7.27% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ACI advanced for three days, in 143 of 298 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 48%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 53 of 143 cases where ACI Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 37%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for ACI moved out of overbought territory on October 28, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 23 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 16 of the 23 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 70%.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 03, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on ACI as a result. In 51 of 92 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 55%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for ACI turned negative on November 03, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 49 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 29 of the 49 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 59%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ACI declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 56%.
ACI broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 12, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 1 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 45 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. ACI’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 88 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 94 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (4.129) is normal, around the industry mean (60276.609). ACI's P/E Ratio (85.750) is considerably higher than the industry average of (12.465). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.212) is also within normal values, averaging (0.979). ACI has a moderately high Dividend Yield (0.050) as compared to the industry average of (0.017). P/S Ratio (0.080) is also within normal values, averaging (10.259).
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. ACI’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 77, placing this stock worse than average.
WMK's RSI Oscillator leaves overbought zone
The 10-day RSI Indicator for WMK moved out of overbought territory on October 26, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. Traders may want to look at selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 28 instances where the indicator moved out of the overbought zone. In 24 of the 28 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a move down at 86%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for WMK turned negative on October 29, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 40 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 26 of the 40 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 65%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where WMK declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 48%.
WMK broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 2 days, which means it's wise to expect a price bounce in the near future.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on November 02, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on WMK as a result. In 64 of 102 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 63%.
WMK moved above its 50-day moving average on October 07, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for WMK crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 02, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 9 of 19 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 47%.
Following a +6.90% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where WMK advanced for three days, in 194 of 319 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 61%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 100 of 207 cases where WMK Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 48%.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 25 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 48 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. WMK’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 51 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 77, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 78 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 79 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.353) is normal, around the industry mean (60276.609). P/E Ratio (18.895) is within average values for comparable stocks, (12.465). WMK's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.850) is slightly higher than the industry average of (0.979). Dividend Yield (0.018) settles around the average of (0.017) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.356) is also within normal values, averaging (10.259).
ACI | WMK | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 37 | 20 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 94 Overvalued | 79 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 51 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 88 | 78 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 45 | 48 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 1 | 25 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
WMK's Valuation (79) in the Food Retail industry is in the same range as ACI (94) in the null industry. This means that WMK’s stock grew similarly to ACI’s over the last 12 months.
WMK's Profit vs Risk Rating (51) in the Food Retail industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ACI (100) in the null industry. This means that WMK’s stock grew somewhat faster than ACI’s over the last 12 months.
WMK's SMR Rating (78) in the Food Retail industry is in the same range as ACI (88) in the null industry. This means that WMK’s stock grew similarly to ACI’s over the last 12 months.
ACI's Price Growth Rating (45) in the null industry is in the same range as WMK (48) in the Food Retail industry. This means that ACI’s stock grew similarly to WMK’s over the last 12 months.
ACI's P/E Growth Rating (1) in the null industry is in the same range as WMK (25) in the Food Retail industry. This means that ACI’s stock grew similarly to WMK’s over the last 12 months.
| ACI | WMK | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 2 days ago 86% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 52% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 55% | 2 days ago 63% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 2 days ago 65% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 2 days ago 52% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 45% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 13 days ago 61% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 56% | 7 days ago 48% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 37% | 2 days ago 48% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
ACI’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while WMK’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- ACI’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- WMK’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
ACI’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WMK’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ACI’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- WMK’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
ACI (@Food Retail) experienced а -3.28% price change this week, while WMK (@Food Retail) price change was -2.42% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food Retail industry was -5.20%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -5.08%, and the average quarterly price growth was -14.86%.
Reported Earning Dates
ACI is expected to report earnings on Jan 12, 2027.
WMK is expected to report earnings on Nov 03, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Food Retail (-5.20% weekly)The food retail industry includes companies that sell food, beverage and household products. Items sold include grocery, gourmet food, fresh produce, and frozen food. Kroger Co., George Weston Ltd., Grocery Outlet Holding Corp., and Sprouts Farmers Markets, Inc. are examples of major food retailers. While e-commerce companies like Amazon have increasingly been ramping-up offerings in the food retail space, several traditional players have also been expanding their online presence to stand their ground against rising competition.
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WMK and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WMK has been closely correlated with IMKTA. These tickers have moved in lockstep 68% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if WMK jumps, then IMKTA could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To WMK | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMK | 100% | -1.79% | ||
| IMKTA - WMK | 68% Closely correlated | -2.45% | ||
| NGVC - WMK | 46% Loosely correlated | -4.87% | ||
| ACI - WMK | 41% Loosely correlated | -3.28% | ||
| KR - WMK | 37% Loosely correlated | -2.27% | ||
| GO - WMK | 37% Loosely correlated | -3.40% | ||
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