Latest news with #Ralphs
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ralph Lauren's Quarterly Earnings Preview: What You Need to Know
Valued at a market cap of $17.2 billion, Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) is a globally renowned lifestyle and fashion brand. Headquartered in New York, it designs, markets, and distributes premium products across five core categories: apparel, footwear & accessories, home furnishings, fragrances, and hospitality, including luxury restaurants like Polo Bar and Ralph's in Paris. The luxury fashion behemoth is expected to release its Q1 earnings on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Ahead of this event, analysts expect RL to post adjusted earnings of $3.40 per share, representing a growth of 25.9% from $2.70 per share reported in the same quarter last year. The company has surpassed the Street's bottom-line estimates in the past four quarters. More News from Barchart Insider Trading Alert: Here's Who Bought Nvidia and AMD Stock Before the U.S. Chip Deal with China Dear Tesla Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for July 23 As QuantumScape Hits New 2025 Highs, Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold QS Stock? Get exclusive insights with the FREE Barchart Brief newsletter. Subscribe now for quick, incisive midday market analysis you won't find anywhere else. For the current year, analysts forecast Ralph Lauren to report an adjusted EPS of $13.63, indicating a 10.5% increase from $12.33 reported in fiscal 2024. Shares of RL have gained 68.7% over the past 52 weeks, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 12.7% rise and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLY) 15% return during the same time frame. On May 22, Ralph Lauren released its fourth quarter earnings and its shares rose over 1%. It closed FY2025 on a high note, reporting a Q4 revenue of $1.70 billion, a solid 8% year-over-year gain. Its comparable direct-to-consumer sales jumped 13%, supported by effective pricing, leaner inventories, and reduced discounting. Its adjusted EPS of $2.27 beat Wall Street expectations of $2. The company also announced a 10% dividend hike and a new $1.5 billion share repurchase program. Looking ahead, Ralph Lauren expects low-single-digit revenue growth for FY 2026, with stronger gains in the first half. Analysts' consensus view on RL is fairly bullish, with a "Moderate Buy" rating overall. Among 18 analysts covering the stock, 13 suggest a "Strong Buy," one gives a "Moderate Buy," two recommend a "Hold,' one 'Moderate Sell,' and the remaining analyst gives a 'Strong Sell.' Its mean price target of $308.35 represents a 7.7% premium to current price levels. On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Sign in to access your portfolio
Los Angeles Times
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Opinion: Chasing the rush, facing the wreckage
Julian, 17, pulled out of a Ralphs parking lot on Devonshire Street in Granada Hills at 10:00 PM on April 14, 2025, in a BMW M5 CS. In the passenger's seat was David, also 17. Leaving the car meet-up attended by young professionals and car enthusiasts, however, they didn't know that it would be the last time either of them would ever see cars the same way. The same two boys who once lived and breathed all things cars, obsessed with their curves and speed, are now facing a very different future. Right before the collision, David screamed from inside the vehicle, 'F- – -! Is this really happening?!' before ordering Julian to 'cross [his] arms across [his] chest' to prevent them from breaking during impact. Today, Julian, who is no longer insurable, resorts to lifts from his family members or Ubers to go anywhere in the city. If it hadn't been for Life360, an app that triggers instantaneous notifications upon impact or detection of a crash, there's no saying if both boys would have made it to the ER in time. The life-saving app that tracks real-time speed and location pinpointed with precision where their crash occurred. The aftermath of Julian's BMW M5 CS colliding into a guardrail off Devonshire Street in Granada Hills. In the U.S. alone, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teens. About 1 out of every 8 fatal crashes involves a young driver . Every day, 8 teens die due to car crashes , leaving hundreds more injured, and California has the second highest number of crashes in the country involving young drivers. These occurrences are preventable, and a closer examination of their causes can help drivers and families understand why they're likely to happen in the first place. The rise of influencers on TikTok and Instagram doing 'donuts,' 'drifts,' and driving as if they're on a racetrack isn't helping matters. Teens, who are easily influenced, seek out the adrenaline rush from attempting the same maneuvers on an empty road. Long-time Brentwood resident Angella Bina, 52, whose own brother totaled his car after crashing into a light pole off Sepulveda Boulevard, is adamant about safe driving when it comes to her own children. 'If something ever happens to you, my world and life will come to an end,' she tells her son each time he takes the car out late. The Center for Disease Control reports that teenagers make critical errors that can lead to serious crashes and engage in risky driving behaviors, especially when a male teenage passenger is present. They're more likely than older drivers to not recognize dangerous situations. Insurance companies keen on this even offer 'Good Student Discount' options for student drivers with better academic performance in school. The assumption here is that young drivers who are responsible when it comes to their studies are more likely to be responsible drivers . But some adolescents will disagree. Other influences, such as marijuana, illicit drugs, alcohol, and prescription medication, which can be abused by students of all academic performance levels, naturally impair driving. 'None of my friends have driven drunk, but high? Teah,' said one Milken Community School senior. One recent high school grad, Liam, had just left a dinner party in Malibu. His dad had let him take out his treasured Audi RS7 for the occasion, reminding him to 'be smart.' The ocean air blew through the cabin as Liam headed north up a near-empty PCH, the twin-turbo V8 purring under his feet. As the city lights faded behind him and the curves of the highway opened up, Liam pushed on the gas. 70 MPH became 90, then 110. The Audi gripped the asphalt like it was built for it, but just as it was passing Zuma Beach, a sharp bend snuck up quicker than expected. The car flipped, once, then twice, before landing upside down, just off the side of the road. Miraculously, Liam walked away with minor injuries, but the car was destroyed. Liam's debacle is a reminder of not just the caveats to driving, but of how fast everything can go wrong. 'Seeing my family's faces after making it out alive showed me that they truly cared,' Liam said. 'I've learned not to take life for granted, and that a few seconds of adrenaline rush isn't worth my life.' Devin Maghen, however, wasn't as fortunate. 29 years old today, Maghen's life spun out of control the day his car made an unintentional sharp left turn into oncoming traffic while driving south on Sepulveda Boulevard on an ordinary day. He has been suffering from brain trauma ever since the accident 13 years ago. What's left of Maghen's 2012 Infiniti G Coupe from the head-on collision on Sepulveda Blvd. To this day, Maghen has no memory of what exactly caused the crash, but the collision put him into a coma that lasted three months. When he finally woke up, he had to relearn everything: how to walk, talk, eat, and lie down. Today, he is legally blind. In a recent exchange between Maghen and Julian, Maghen made a point to say, 'My friends were there for me when I got in my accident, but they started to move on, and I was stuck in the hospital alone. I don't blame them.' Maghen's story isn't unique to him. Today, Maghen is a music instructor at Parsi Music & Art Center. However, many high-achieving teens, even those taking honors and AP courses, accomplished and talented in sports, music, or the arts, have seen their lives take a sharp turn in the blink of an eye. The allure of a driver's license or the attraction of the roads that make experiencing freedom at this age appear exhilarating is not all it appears to be. Driving is serious. A car is not just transportation. It is a two-ton piece of metal that can change lives instantaneously—and a powerful reminder of life's fragility. It is a wake-up call to take the responsibility of driving seriously. Check out AAA's Teen Driver Safety bulletin that provides not only essential, common-sense tips for every young driver, and also this useful guide for both parents and youth. Download the free Life360 App on your phone today. Related
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Kroger is closing 60 stores: 'One hit after another'
After a series of setbacks, Kroger's recent decision to close 60 locations nationwide is the latest sign of distress for the grocer that operates more than 300 stores in California. Kroger, the parent company of Ralphs and Food 4 Less, is reducing its footprint after the resignation of its chief executive and a failed merger with competing grocery giant Albertsons. The company faces a lawsuit related to the merger and also has been struggling with labor unrest. Employees had been threatening to strike until the company reached a tentative agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers union this week. Based in Cincinnati, Kroger also owns Harris Teeter, King Soopers and Dillons. The company operates more than 2,700 stores under different brands across the country and offers fresh goods, some household items and pharmacy services. Read more: Kroger, the company behind Ralphs and Food 4 Less, plans to close 60 locations "Instead of popping champagne and toasting to their merger, Kroger is instead just enduring one hit after another," said Jeff Wells, lead editor at the trade publication Grocery Dive. "They're still a pretty stable business, but they're facing a lot in terms of challenges." Kroger announced late last month in its quarterly earnings report that it plans to close 60 stores over the next 18 months. The company did not disclose which locations would be shut down. "We're simplifying our business and reviewing areas that will not be meaningful to our future growth," interim Chief Executive Ronald Sargent said in an earnings call. "Today, not all of our stores are delivering the sustainable results we need." Kroger temporarily paused routine store closures while the Albertsons merger was pending, Sargent said. The company normally closes about 30 stores per year, Melius Research analyst Jacob Aiken-Phillips said. The company is on track to complete 30 major store projects this year and expects to accelerate store openings in 2026, Sargent said on the earnings call. Kroger is under increasing pressure from competitors, experts said, some of which offer a wider range of items and convenient one-stop shops. "Kroger faces this intensely competitive field in the grocery industry," Wells said. "From Walmart to Costco to Whole Foods and Sprouts Farmers Market, everybody in the industry is kind of gunning for them." The Albertsons merger would have given Kroger the scale to compete with giants such as Walmart and Amazon, Aiken-Phillips said. "After the merger failed, they had to reexamine their strategy and focus on how they can grow and compete without that scale," he said. "That's the major challenge right now." Read more: After court loss, Albertsons and Kroger trade accusations over demise of mega-grocery-chain deal Kroger relies on pharmacy services, advertising and e-commerce for additional revenue, experts said. Although the company grew its e-commerce business 15% in the first quarter of this year, the business remains unprofitable. Former Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen stepped down in March after an investigation into his personal conduct, the company announced. Sargent was appointed chairman of the board of directors and interim CEO. Kroger did not share details of the investigation into McMullen. His "personal conduct, while unrelated to the business, was inconsistent with Kroger's Policy on Business Ethics," the company's statement said. "When he resigned, it threw a wrench in progressing the company because now you need a new leader to come in," Aiken-Phillips said. In 2022, Kroger agreed to buy Albertsons for $24.6 billion, a sale that would have been the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history. The Federal Trade Commission, California and several other states sued to stop the merger, arguing that it would hobble competition in many parts of the country, leaving customers at the mercy of a newly formed behemoth and driving up prices. Kroger and Albertsons collectively own about 5,000 grocery stores. Read more: $25-billion Kroger-Albertsons merger plan is blocked by federal judge In late 2024, Albertsons scrapped the deal after a federal judge in Oregon issued a preliminary injunction in the case. The high-stakes court battle centered on concerns that the megamerger would add to the financial woes of consumers who have grappled with the rising cost of food. Albertsons also sued Kroger, claiming that the grocer didn't do enough to win over regulators. Kroger has since countersued. In June, grocery workers at Albertsons and Kroger — numbering about 45,000 — voted to authorize a strike to protest what they called unfair labor practices. A walkout would have caused a major disruption for two of the nation's largest grocery chains during the busiest season of the year. The United Food and Commercial Workers union announced Thursday that it reached a tentative agreement with the two companies that would allow them to avoid a strike. The union will vote on whether to approve the agreement July 9-11. "Following an intense 40 plus hour bargaining session that began on Friday morning, we've secured an agreement that addresses our priorities," the union said in a statement. The agreement includes higher wages, improved pension plans as well as health and welfare improvements, the union said. Kroger did not respond to requests for comment. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Some Ralphs and Food 4 Less stores to close in the next year and a half
Under a Kroger plan, California grocery shoppers will have dozens fewer Ralphs and Food 4 Less stores to choose from. Kroger, the parent company of the California-based grocers, announced its plan to permanently shutter 60 stores in an earnings report for last quarter. Will it be a location near you? There's no news yet on which stores would be affected. But under the plan, some Californians will be dealing with the loss of their neighborhood market. The reason for the closings is the year-over-year loss of millions in earnings. The grocery giant reported net earnings of $866 million for the first quarter of 2025, down from $947 million during the same period last year. The closures represent a $100-million loss for the company but will lead to a 'modest financial benefit,' the company said. It also said employees working at the affected stores would be offered jobs at other locations. Combined, there are 272 Ralphs and Food 4 Less locations across the state. The planned closures come amid a tumultuous period for Kroger. Rodney McMullen, the company's former chairman and chief executive, abruptly stepped down in March following a probe by the company's board into his personal conduct. The company was mum on details but said this alleged conduct did not involve Kroger workers. Earlier this month, about 45,000 employees at Kroger and Albertsons authorized a strike to protest what they call unfair labor practices. They haven't walked off the job yet. But if they do, it would cause major disruption for two of the nation's largest grocery chains. The company was also involved in a failed $25-billion merger with rival Albertsons late last year after a judge halted the deal. It would've been the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history. As my colleague Queenie Wong reported in December, the Federal Trade Commission, California and several other states sued to stop the deal, arguing the merger would decimate competition in many parts of the country and leave customers at the mercy of a newly formed behemoth that could drive up prices. Also last year, Kroger finalized a $122-million settlement with California to resolve lawsuits over the company's alleged role in the opioid crisis and how its pharmacies dispensed prescription painkillers to customers. The payment finalized a deal Kroger struck in 2023 to settle nearly all the opioid-related claims filed against it. Although the company didn't admit to any wrongdoing or liability in the settlement, it did agree to pay nearly $1.4 billion over 11 years to California and other plaintiffs. Today's great photo is from Times photographer Christina House at the Getty Villa, which reopened Friday for the first time since January's devastating Palisades fire. Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorAndrew Campa, Sunday writerKarim Doumar, head of newsletters How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
25-06-2025
- Business
Kroger plans to close 60 US stores in 18 months to improve profits
Kroger plans to close around 60 U.S. grocery stores over the next 18 months to improve efficiency. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based company announced the plan during a corporate earnings call last Friday. The company hasn't said which stores it plans to shutter, but said the closures will happen around the country. It also said employees at impacted stores will be offered jobs at other locations. 'We see this as an opportunity to move these closed store sales to other stores, and we think that should improve profitability,' Kroger's interim Chairman and CEO Ronald Sargent said during the call. Sargent also said Kroger plans to open at least 30 stores this year and will accelerate its store openings in 'high-growth geographies' next year. A message seeking details of the company's plans was left Wednesday with Kroger. Kroger is the nation's largest supermarket chain, with 2,731 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. It operates stores under multiple brand names, including Smith's, Ralphs, King Soopers and Fred Meyer. Sargent said Kroger usually evaluates the performance of individual stores on an annual basis but it deferred any store closings during its two-year effort to merge with rival Albertsons. The two companies announced the $24.6 billion merger plan in 2022 but the deal fell apart late last year after two judges blocked it due to concerns about competition. Kroger's plan to close stores comes as the company is facing labor unrest over issues including chronic understaffing at stores, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers union. Union members in Southern California began picketing at a Los Angeles Ralphs last week. Workers at King Soopers stores in Colorado also went on strike earlier this year.
