Whole Foods Market (WFM) Posts Q4 GAAP EPS of 16c; Approves New $1B Buyback Plan

Deutsche Bank Compares Whole Foods (WFM) to Kroger (KR) in 2001

Deutsche Bank maintained a Hold rating on Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) and trimmed its price target to $26.00 (from $30.00). The change follows disappointing Q4 results. In the view of analyst Karen Short, the situation is "eerily reminiscent" to Kroger in 2001, when increasing competition on commoditized SKUs caused escalating comp and margin pressure.

Short explained, "We believe KRs journey in the early 2000s is instructive... More

Whole Foods Market (WFM) Guides Square Footage Growth Down to 7%; Piper Jaffray Remains Neutral

Piper Jaffray maintained a Neutral rating on Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM), and cut the price target to $30.00 (from $34.00), following the company's 4Q earnings report. Comparable sales continue to decelerate at Whole Foods as the retailer struggles to drive traffic to its stores. Q4 comps of (0.2%) compare to +0.7% consensus; traffic growth was (0.8%) while average basket grew... More

Current Valuation Puts a Floor Under Whole Foods Market (WFM) - RBC

Whole Foods reported adjusted 4Q15 EPS of $0.16 (adj. $0.30), compared to consensus estimate of $0.34. Comparable same store sales declined (-2.1%) against positive consensus expectations of 0.8%. To cushion the blow management also announced a $1 billion stock buyback, dividend increase and capital structure plan.

William Kirk from RBC Capital believes... More

Whole Foods Market (WFM) PT Cut to $29 at Jefferies

Jefferies analyst Mark Wiltamuth reiterated a Hold rating and cut its price target on Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) to $29.00 (from $33.00) following weak Q4 results as competition intensifies.

Wiltamuth commented, "WFM reported a 4Q shortfall on -0.2% comps and a sharp... More