克罗格公司(NYSE:KR)股价周四上涨。 该公司报告第四季度调整后每股收益为1.14美元，高于市场预期的1.11美元。季度销售额为343.08亿美元，低于分析师普遍预期的345.09亿美元。 本季度LIFO费用为3000万美元，而去年的LIFO信用为1800万美元。 第四季度毛利率为销售额的22.7%，而去年同期为22.3%。毛利率的改善主要归因于克罗格专业药房的销售和缩水减少，部分被药房毛利率下降和LIFO费用抵消。 FIFO毛利率（不包括租金、折旧和摊销、燃油及2023年的第53周）较去年同期增加54个基点。 此外：由于会员费强劲，BJ’s Wholesale Club第四季度每股收益超出市场预期。 毛利率的改善主要归因于克罗格专业药房的销售和缩水减少，部分被药房毛利率下降抵消。 克罗格的净总债务与调整后的EBITDA比率排除2023年第53周后为1.79，而去年为1.33。 “克罗格正从一个优势位置出发，交出超出预期的第四季度业绩，这要归功于我们模式的强大以及团队的纪律执行，”董事长兼临时首席执行官罗恩·萨金特表示。 本月早些时候，公司宣布首席执行官罗德尼·麦克马伦辞职。 麦克马伦在公司董事会对其个人行为进行调查后辞去了克罗格的职务。克罗格表示，2月21日，公司获悉了某些个人行为，并立即展开了调查。 公司董事会发现，麦克马伦的行为与克罗格的商业道德政策不一致。 展望：克罗格预计2025财年调整后每股收益为4.60至4.80美元，相比市场预期的4.79美元。公司预计2025财年扣除燃油的相同销售额增长为2.0%至3.0%。 股价动态：截至周四最后检查，KR股价上涨2.49%至64.09美元。 此外：苹果最新款搭载M4芯片的MacBook Air比前代快两倍，价格更低。 图片来源：Shutterstock。

以上内容来自Benzinga Earnings专栏，原文如下：

Kroger Company (NYSE:KR) shares are trading higher on Thursday.

The company reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.14, beating the street view of $1.11. Quarterly sales of $34.308 billion missed the analyst consensus estimate of $34.509 billion.

The LIFO charge for the quarter was $30 million, compared to a LIFO credit of $18 million for the same period last year.

Gross margin was 22.7% of sales for the fourth quarter compared to 22.3% for the same period last year. The improvement in gross margin was primarily attributable to the sale of Kroger Specialty Pharmacy and lower shrink, partially offset by lower pharmacy margins and the LIFO charge.

The FIFO gross margin rate, excluding rent, depreciation and amortization, fuel, and the 53rd week in 2023, increased 54 basis points compared to the same period last year.

Also Read: BJ’s Wholesale Club Posts Q4 Earnings Above Street View Due To Strong Membership Fee

The improvement in rate was primarily attributable to the sale of Kroger Specialty Pharmacy and lower shrink, partially offset by lower pharmacy margins.

Kroger’s net total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio is 1.79, compared to 1.33 a year ago, excluding the 53rd week in 2023.

“Kroger is operating from a position of strength, delivering fourth quarter results that came in ahead of expectations due to the strength of our model and the disciplined execution of our teams,” said Chairman and interim CEO Ron Sargent.

Earlier this month, the company announced the resignation of CEO Rodney McMullen.

McMullen resigned from Kroger following an investigation of personal conduct by the board. Kroger said it was made aware of a certain personal conduct on Feb. 21, which was immediately investigated.

The company’s board found that McMullen’s conduct was inconsistent with Kroger’s policy on business ethics.

Outlook: Kroger sees FY25 adjusted EPS of $4.60 – $4.80 versus $4.79 estimate. Company projects FY25 identical sales growth without fuel of 2.0% – 3.0%.

Price Action: KR shares are trading higher by 2.49% to $64.09 at last check Thursday.

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Photo via Shutterstock.