克羅格公司(NYSE:KR)股價週四上漲。 該公司報告第四季度調整後每股收益爲1.14美元，高於市場預期的1.11美元。季度銷售額爲343.08億美元，低於分析師普遍預期的345.09億美元。 本季度LIFO費用爲3000萬美元，而去年的LIFO信用爲1800萬美元。 第四季度毛利率爲銷售額的22.7%，而去年同期爲22.3%。毛利率的改善主要歸因於克羅格專業藥房的銷售和縮水減少，部分被藥房毛利率下降和LIFO費用抵消。 FIFO毛利率（不包括租金、折舊和攤銷、燃油及2023年的第53周）較去年同期增加54個基點。 此外：由於會員費強勁，BJ’s Wholesale Club第四季度每股收益超出市場預期。 毛利率的改善主要歸因於克羅格專業藥房的銷售和縮水減少，部分被藥房毛利率下降抵消。 克羅格的淨總債務與調整後的EBITDA比率排除2023年第53周後爲1.79，而去年爲1.33。 “克羅格正從一個優勢位置出發，交出超出預期的第四季度業績，這要歸功於我們模式的強大以及團隊的紀律執行，”董事長兼臨時首席執行官羅恩·薩金特表示。 本月早些時候，公司宣佈首席執行官羅德尼·麥克馬倫辭職。 麥克馬倫在公司董事會對其個人行爲進行調查後辭去了克羅格的職務。克羅格表示，2月21日，公司獲悉了某些個人行爲，並立即展開了調查。 公司董事會發現，麥克馬倫的行爲與克羅格的商業道德政策不一致。 展望：克羅格預計2025財年調整後每股收益爲4.60至4.80美元，相比市場預期的4.79美元。公司預計2025財年扣除燃油的相同銷售額增長爲2.0%至3.0%。 股價動態：截至週四最後檢查，KR股價上漲2.49%至64.09美元。 此外：蘋果最新款搭載M4芯片的MacBook Air比前代快兩倍，價格更低。 圖片來源：Shutterstock。

以上內容來自Benzinga Earnings專欄，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.

Read Next:

• Apple’s Latest MacBook Air With M4 Chip Is Twice As Fast As Its Predecessor With Lower Price

Photo via Shutterstock.