Tesco (TSCDY) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reflecting growing optimism about the company's earnings prospects. This might drive the stock higher in the near term.
Investors looking for stocks in the Retail - Supermarkets sector might want to consider either Tesco PLC (TSCDY) or Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV (WMMVY). But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks?
A spot of financial housekeeping over at Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO) serves to highlight Britain's biggest grocery chain's “strong asset backed balance sheet, low non-lease indebtedness and strong cash flows from operations”, said Shore Capital Markets' retail expert Clive Black. The housekeeping at hand is Tesco's repurchase and cancellation of €38 million in bonds issued in 2007.
Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO) has notched up its achieved its highest grocery market share since December 2017 according to the latest supermarket trends survey from market researcher Kantar. Britain's largest grocer grew its share to 28.1%, up from 27.4% a year ago as sales grew by 5.2% in the 12 weeks to 1 December 2024.
Tesco shares have surged 25% this year, outperforming the FTSE 100 and nearing the S&P 500's performance. The latest results crushed expectations with decent operating profit growth with expanding margins, although a hint of caution ought to be noted with labor cost pressures. The company's dominant UK market position is strengthening further, with it widening the lead against its nearest competitor, Sainsbury's.
Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO) and J Sainsbury PLC (LSE:SBRY) each moved higher on Thursday following double upgrades by JP Morgan brokers. Both were lifted from ‘underweight' to ‘overweight' by the bank in a note, which highlighted upside in the UK's food retail sector.
Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO) and J Sainsbury PLC (LSE:SBRY) ticked up on Wednesday after the UK's competition watchdog said loyalty card schemes offered “genuine” savings. A Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found there was “very little evidence” of supermarkets inflating prices to make loyalty promotions seem more attractive.
Following Asda's warning of price hikes due to tax increases in last month's Budget, Shore Capital analysts have forecast Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO) will signal a £250 million uplift in costs. Asda last week became the latest to flag up a jump in costs following the Budget, which saw employer national insurance contributions (NIC) lifted from 13.8% to 15% and the threshold at which this is paid cut from £9,100 to £5,000.
Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO)has confirmed it will hand £700 million back to shareholders following the completion of the sale of its banking and Clubcard operation to Barclays PLC (LSE:BARC) The deal, originally announced in February, involves a ten-year Tesco-branded white-label partnership for financial products supplied by Barclays. Tesco is retaining all the existing insurance and money services activities, including ATMs, travel money and gift cards.
Tesco , Britain's biggest supermarket group, said on Friday that it intended to return 700 million pounds ($902.51 million) to shareholders through an incremental share buyback, as it had completed its banking operations sale to Barclays.
Tesco, Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer face the biggest hit from the National Insurance hike announced by the government yesterday but the marginal impact on other retailers might be greater suggests Citi. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 1.2% hike in National Insurance (from 13.8% to 15%) and lowered the threshold at which employers start paying NI from £9,100 to £5,000 per year.
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