Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Assetmark Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:CASY – Free Report) by 510.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,055 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 13,424 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc.’s holdings in Casey’s General Stores were worth $11,686,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Casey’s General Stores by 7.4% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 760,438 shares of the company’s stock valued at $420,416,000 after purchasing an additional 52,250 shares during the period. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY lifted its position in shares of Casey’s General Stores by 103.5% during the 1st quarter. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY now owns 2,448 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,782,000 after buying an additional 1,245 shares during the period. North Dakota State Investment Board bought a new stake in Casey’s General Stores during the fourth quarter worth about $720,000. Jackson Creek Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Casey’s General Stores during the 4th quarter valued at $1,338,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in Casey’s General Stores by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 140,491 shares of the company’s stock valued at $77,651,000 after acquiring an additional 3,553 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.63% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Casey’s General Stores from $719.00 to $975.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, June 12th. BNP Paribas Exane lowered their price objective on Casey’s General Stores from $1,032.00 to $995.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Casey’s General Stores from $805.00 to $945.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Casey’s General Stores from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, June 5th. Finally, Northcoast Research upgraded shares of Casey’s General Stores from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $950.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $940.00.

Get Our Latest Research Report on CASY

Casey’s General Stores Stock Performance Shares of NASDAQ CASY opened at $866.46 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $822.35 and a 200-day moving average of $734.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The company has a market capitalization of $32.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.62. Casey’s General Stores, Inc. has a 12 month low of $490.00 and a 12 month high of $927.85.

Casey’s General Stores (NASDAQ:CASY – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 9th. The company reported $4.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.31 by $1.06. The company had revenue of $4.57 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.33 billion. Casey’s General Stores had a return on equity of 18.73% and a net margin of 4.07%.The business’s revenue was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.63 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Casey’s General Stores, Inc. will post 21.14 EPS for the current year.

Casey’s General Stores Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Saturday, August 1st will be paid a $0.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 31st. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.3%. This is an increase from Casey’s General Stores’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Casey’s General Stores’s payout ratio is currently 11.90%.

Insider Buying and Selling In other news, insider Chad Michael Frazell sold 3,013 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $787.49, for a total transaction of $2,372,707.37. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 9,823 shares in the company, valued at $7,735,514.27. The trade was a 23.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Darren M. Rebelez sold 19,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $801.46, for a total value of $15,227,740.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 89,174 shares in the company, valued at $71,469,394.04. The trade was a 17.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 30,243 shares of company stock worth $24,421,877. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the company’s stock.

Casey’s General Stores Company Profile (Free Report)

Casey’s General Stores, Inc (NASDAQ: CASY) is a U.S.-based convenience store chain that operates retail fuel stations and food-focused convenience outlets. Founded in 1959 in Boone, Iowa, the company has grown from a single neighborhood store into a regional operator known for combining traditional convenience retailing—fuel, packaged goods and tobacco—with a larger emphasis on fresh and prepared foods.

The company’s stores typically offer gasoline and diesel alongside a range of grocery essentials, grab-and-go items and made-to-order foodservice.

Read More Five stocks we like better than Casey’s General Stores The Ugliest Stocks in the Market Just Got a Very Expensive Vote of Confidence Is Domino’s Stock Serving Up a Buying Opportunity? A $1T Black Hole: SpaceX Eyes Pentagon AI to Break Free Why Gold Miners Could Be the Market’s Biggest Comeback Story Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CASY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:CASY – Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Casey's General Stores Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Casey's General Stores and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

William Blair says Casey's, Costco, Cava, and other consumer companies are well positioned to weather inflation and uneven consumer spending.

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.

The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Casey's General Stores (CASY - Free Report) Founded in 1959 and based in Ankeny, IA, Casey's General Stores, Inc. operates convenience stores primarily under the Casey's and Casey's General Store names in 19 states, mainly Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. As of Apr. 30, 2026, the company operated 2,944 stores. Approximately 71% of all stores were located in areas with populations of fewer than 20,000 people.

CASY is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. CASY has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 10.3% for the current fiscal year.

For fiscal 2027, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.67 to $21.14 per share. CASY boasts an average earnings surprise of +18.4%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, CASY should be on investors' short list.

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Casey's General Stores (CASY - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 7.9% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Casey's due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

CASY Q4 Earnings Beat on Inside Sales & Fuel Margin StrengthCasey's reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with both the top and bottom lines beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increased year over year.

The company posted quarterly earnings of $4.37 per share, beating the consensus mark of $3.36 by 30.1%. Earnings rose 66.2% from $2.63 in the prior-year quarter. Revenues of $4.57 billion surpassed the consensus estimate of $4.40 billion by 4% and advanced 14.5% year over year. Inside same-store sales rose year over year, while fuel margins expanded sharply.

CASY’s Quarterly Performance: Key DetailsCasey’s delivered net income of $162.7 million in the fourth quarter, up 65.5% from $98.3 million in the year-ago period. EBITDA increased 33.2% year over year to $350.3 million, driven by higher inside and fuel gross profit.

The company benefited from strength inside the store and at the pump. Total inside sales rose 7.4% from the prior year to $1.52 billion, while total inside gross profit increased 10.5% to $643.4 million.

Casey’s Inside Sales Show Broad MomentumInside same-store sales increased 5.5% compared with 1.7% growth in the prior-year quarter. On a two-year stack basis, inside same-store sales increased 7.4%.

The upside was led by strong demand for whole pizzas, appetizers and sides in the prepared food and dispensed beverage category. Non-alcoholic beverages supported growth in grocery and general merchandise.

CASY’s Margin Profile StrengthensInside margin expanded to 42.4% from 41.2% in the year-ago quarter. Cost of goods management, improved waste and mix shift were the primary drivers of the 120-basis-point margin expansion.

Prepared food and dispensed beverage margin improved to 59.5% from 57.8%. Grocery and general merchandise margin increased to 35.7% from 34.8%, aided by favorable category mix and cost discipline.

Casey’s Segmental Sales TrendsPrepared food and dispensed beverage sales increased 9.2% year over year to $427.6 million. Same-store sales for the category advanced 6.6%, supported by whole pizzas, appetizers and sides.

Grocery and general merchandise sales rose 6.7% to $1.09 billion. Same-store sales in the category increased 5.1%, with notable strength in non-alcoholic beverages, particularly energy drinks.

CASY’s Fuel Business Delivers Strong GainsFuel gallons sold increased 3.6% year over year to 848.3 million, driven by a large store base and same-store gallon growth. Same-store fuel gallons were up 1.5% compared with 0.1% growth in the prior-year quarter.

Fuel gross profit jumped 29.1% to $397.4 million. Fuel margin improved to 46.9 cents per gallon from 37.6 cents a year earlier. Casey’s also generated $15.2 million in renewable fuel credits in the quarter, up $10.8 million from the prior-year period.

Casey’s Expense Trends and Cash PositionTotal operating expenses rose 10.1% year over year to $730 million. Operating 40 more stores accounted for roughly 2% of the increase, while same-store employee expense contributed about 1.5%, mainly due to higher labor rates.

The company ended the quarter with $1.4 billion in available liquidity, including $523 million in cash and cash equivalents and $900 million in available borrowing capacity. Casey’s repurchased about $63 million of shares during the quarter and its board expanded the repurchase authorization to $1 billion.

CASY’s Fiscal 2026 Finish & 2027 ViewFor fiscal 2026, Casey’s reported diluted earnings of $19.16 per share, up 30.9% year over year. Net income increased 30.7% to $714.4 million, while EBITDA rose 23.6% to nearly $1.5 billion.

For fiscal 2027, management expects inside same-store sales to increase 2-5%, with an inside margin above 42%. Same-store fuel gallons sold are expected to range between a 1% decline and a 1% increase. Total operating expenses are projected to rise 5-7%, while EBITDA is expected to grow 8-10%.

Casey’s Store Growth & Shareholder ReturnsCasey’s operated 2,944 stores as of Apr. 30, 2026. During fiscal 2026, the company added 40 new stores through construction, acquired 40 stores and opened one prior acquisition, while closing 41 stores.

The company expects to open at least 120 stores in fiscal 2027 through a mix of mergers and acquisitions and new store construction. Casey’s also raised its quarterly dividend by 14% to 65 cents per share, marking the 27th consecutive annual dividend increase.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a upward trend in fresh estimates.

VGM ScoresAt this time, Casey's has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. Following the exact same course, the stock has a score of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Notably, Casey's has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

Here at Zacks, we offer our members many different opportunities to take full advantage of the stock market, as well as how to invest in ways that lead to long-term success.

The Zacks Premium service, which provides daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank; full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List; Equity Research reports; and Premium stock screens like the Earnings ESP filter, makes these more manageable goals. All of the features can help you identify what stocks to buy, what to sell, and what are today's hottest industries.

It also includes the Focus List, a long-term portfolio of top stocks that have all the elements to beat the market.

Breaking Down the Zacks Focus ListIf you could get access to a curated list of stocks to kickstart your investment portfolio, wouldn't you jump at the chance to take a peek?

That's what the Zacks Focus List offers. It's a portfolio of 50 stocks that serve as a starting point for long-term investors to build their individual portfolios. The stocks included in the list are set to outperform the market over the next 12 months.

What makes the Focus List even more helpful is that each selection is accompanied by a full Zacks Analyst Report, which explains the reasoning behind every stock's selection and why we believe it's a good pick for the long-term.

The portfolio's past performance only solidifies why investors should consider it as a starting point. For 2020, the Focus List gained 13.85% on an annualized basis compared to the S&P 500's return of 9.38%. Cumulatively, the portfolio has returned 2,519.23% while the S&P returned 854.95%. Returns are for the period of February 1, 1996 to March 31, 2021.

Focus List MethodologyWhen stocks are picked for the Focus List, it reflects our enduring reliance on the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Brokerage analysts are in charge of determining a company's growth and profitability expectations, or earnings estimates. These analysts work together with company management to evaluate all factors that may affect future earnings, like interest rates, the economy, and sector and industry optimism.

What a company will earn down the road also needs to be taken into consideration, and this is why earnings estimate revisions are so important.

Stocks that receive upward earnings estimate revisions are more likely to receive even more upward changes in the future. For example, if an analyst raised their estimates last month, they're more likely to do it again this month, and other analysts are likely to do the same.

Utilizing the power of earnings estimate revisions is when the Zacks Rank joins the party. A unique, proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank uses changes to quarterly earnings expectations to help investors create a winning portfolio.

The Zacks Rank consists of four main pillars: Agreement, Magnitude, Upside, and Surprise. Each one is given a raw score, which is recalculated every night and compiled into the Rank. Then, stocks are classified into five groups, ranging from "Strong Buy" to "Strong Sell," using this data.

The Focus List is comprised of stocks hand-picked from a long list of #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) ranked companies, meaning that each new addition boasts a bullish earnings consensus among analysts.

Because stock prices react to revisions, buying stocks with rising earnings estimates can be very profitable. Focus List stocks offer investors a great opportunity to get into companies whose future earnings estimates will be raised, potentially leading to price momentum.

Focus List Spotlight: Casey's General Stores (CASY - Free Report) Founded in 1959 and based in Ankeny, IA, Casey's General Stores, Inc. operates convenience stores primarily under the Casey's and Casey's General Store names in 19 states, mainly Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. As of Apr. 30, 2026, the company operated 2,944 stores. Approximately 71% of all stores were located in areas with populations of fewer than 20,000 people.

Since being added to the Focus List on August 20, 2019 at $171.98 per share, shares of CASY have increased 363.67% to $797.42. The stock is currently a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank.

For fiscal 2027, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.58 to $21.05. CASY boasts an average earnings surprise of 18.4%.

Earnings for CASY are forecasted to see growth of 9.9% for the current fiscal year as well.

Reveal Winning StocksUnlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. You'll quickly identify which stocks to buy, hold and sell, and target today's hottest industries, to help improve the performance of your portfolio. Gain full access now >>

Key Takeaways Casey's posted 4.2% inside same-store sales growth, led by prepared food and beverages.CASY boosted traffic with new menu items while keeping whole-pizza prices below national brands.CASY's grocery and merchandise sales increased through energy drinks, nicotine alternatives and liquor. Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (CASY - Free Report) posted strong inside same-store sales growth, driven by strategic menu expansion and value positioning. Inside same-store sales saw 4.2% growth for fiscal 2026 and 7% growth on a two-year stack. This performance was driven by the prepared food and dispensed beverage segment as well as the grocery and general merchandise segment.

Casey’s prepared food and dispensed beverage business continued to deliver strong performance, with same-store sales increasing 5.2% for fiscal 2026 and 6.6% in the fiscal fourth quarter, reflecting sustained customer demand. Growth was supported by product innovation, including limited-time offerings such as the Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza, an expanded specialty menu and the introduction of the FROSTBITE frozen beverage platform.

Management also highlighted the success of its sauced wings rollout, which increased order frequency by 30% among purchasing customers without reducing pizza sales. In addition, Casey’s maintained a value-focused pricing strategy by keeping whole-pizza prices between $1 and $3, which is below national brands and avoiding price increases for several years, reinforcing its competitive positioning.

The grocery and general merchandise category also performed well, with same-store sales increasing 3.9% in fiscal 2026 and 5.1% in the fourth quarter. Growth in this area is supported by energy drinks, including a top-selling exclusive flavor from Monster and a structural shift toward higher-margin nicotine alternatives over traditional cigarettes. Additionally, the company has leveraged more than 1,500 liquor licenses to shift its alcohol assortment toward higher-margin liquor products relative to beer.

Overall, Casey’s consistent execution across its retail portfolio continues to reinforce its customer-focused operating model. Looking ahead, the company expects same-store sales growth of 2% to 5% in fiscal 2027. By balancing affordability, product innovation, and category mix optimization, Casey’s aims to sustain customer traffic and support long-term growth.

The Zacks Rundown for CASYShares of CASY have surged 52.6% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 45.1%. CASY currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, CASY trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 36.26, higher than the industry’s average of 28.30.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CASY’s current and next fiscal year earnings implies year-over-year growth of 9.9% and 12.3%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Other Stocks to ConsiderSome other top-ranked stocks have been discussed below:

Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST - Free Report) operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS brands in the United States. At present, ROST flaunts a Zacks Rank of 1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ROST’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 9.1% and 17.1%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. ROST delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.2%, on average.

The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX - Free Report) together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer worldwide. At present, TJX carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TJX’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 5.9% and 9.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. TJX delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.8%, on average.

Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR - Free Report) operates retail discount stores under the Dollar Tree and Dollar Tree Canada brands in the United States and Canada. At present, DLTR carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DLTR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 6.5% and 21.4%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. DLTR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 32.1%, on average.

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades, downgrades and initiations, please see our analyst ratings page.

Considering buying CASY stock? Here’s what analysts think:

Photo via Shutterstock

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.

Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY) Analyst/Investor Day June 24, 2026 9:30 AM EDT

Company Participants

Brian Johnson - Senior Vice President of Investor Relations & Business Development
Darren Rebelez - President, CEO & Board Chair
Stephen Bramlage - Senior VP & CFO
Thomas Brennan - Senior VP & Chief Merchandising Officer
Brad Haga - Senior Vice President of Prepared Food & Dispensed Beverage
Ena Koschel - Chief Operating Officer
Nathaniel Doddridge - Senior Vice President of Fuel
Chad Frazell - Chief Human Resources Officer

Conference Call Participants

Corey Tarlowe - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Krisztina Katai - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division
Bradley Thomas - KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Research Division
Robert Griffin - Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division
Jacob Aiken-Phillips - Melius Research LLC
Pooran Sharma - Stephens Inc., Research Division
Michael Montani - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
Phillip Blee - William Blair & Company L.L.C., Research Division
Mark Carden - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Kelly Bania - BMO Capital Markets Equity Research
Thomas Palmer - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Bonnie Herzog - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Edward Kelly - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division

Presentation

Brian Johnson
Senior Vice President of Investor Relations & Business Development

Hello, and thank you for joining us today for our Investor Day. It's great to see both new and familiar faces in the crowd, and we are very excited to share our strategic plan. I'm Brian Johnson, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Business Development.

Before we begin, I'll remind you that today's presentation includes forward-looking statements and non-GAAP measures within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those related to the expectations for future periods, possible or assumed future results of operations, financial conditions, liquidity and related sources or needs, business and/or integration strategies, plans and synergies, supply chain, growth opportunities and performance at our stores. There are a number of known and

9.18K Followers

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Key Takeaways CASY grew prepared food and beverage revenue 10.2% to $1.78 billion, with same-store sales up 5.2%.CASY Rewards topped 10 million members, supporting promotions, repeat purchases and engagement.CASY added 198 stores via Fikes and lifted fuel gross profit 21% to $1.50 billion. Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (CASY - Free Report) is evolving beyond a traditional convenience-store growth story. Its next phase depends on how well the company uses food, digital engagement, acquisitions and fuel economics to deepen customer traffic.

These trends matter because they can influence revenue mix, margins and competitive positioning. CASY is still expanding, but the quality of that growth is becoming just as important as the store count.

Casey’s Food Strategy Is EvolvingPrepared foods and dispensed beverages are becoming a larger profit engine for Casey’s. In fiscal 2026, prepared food and dispensed beverage revenues increased 10.2% to $1.78 billion, while same-store sales rose 5.2%.

The gains were driven by hot sandwiches, bakery items and whole pizzas. Casey’s also expanded sauced wings to nearly 850 stores, adding another food occasion without clear cannibalization of whole pizza volume.

The food strategy matters because prepared food carries higher margins than many traditional convenience-store categories. Prepared food margin expanded 170 basis points in the fourth quarter to 59.5%, helped by improved waste and a lower last-in, first-out charge.

CASY Digital Reach Deepens LoyaltyCasey’s digital tools are becoming part of the customer-retention story. The company offers a mobile app and online ordering, allowing customers to order food, locate stores and access deals and promotions.

Casey’s Rewards had more than 10 million members at fiscal 2026 year-end. That scale gives the company a larger base for promotions, repeat purchases and more targeted customer engagement.

Digital reach can also reinforce the food strategy. When customers use the app for ordering and rewards, Casey’s has more ways to drive inside-store traffic beyond fuel trips alone.

Casey’s Acquisition Model Gains ScaleThe Fikes and CEFCO acquisition shows how Casey’s is using mergers and acquisitions as more than a store-count tool. The transaction added 198 stores and expanded the company’s wholesale fuel network.

Casey’s opened 80 stores in fiscal 2026, split evenly between acquisitions and new builds. It also converted 50 CEFCO stores to the Casey’s brand, bringing more locations into its operating model.

Management expects to open at least 120 stores in fiscal 2027 through an even mix of mergers and acquisitions and new store construction. The company also plans to convert the majority of CEFCO stores during fiscal 2027, which could support inside-store sales as kitchens and Casey’s food programs are added.

CASY Fuel Economics Remain a Key TrendFuel remains central to Casey’s traffic and earnings. In fiscal 2026, retail fuel gallons sold increased 10% to 3.52 billion gallons, helped by store growth and the full-year contribution from Fikes locations.

Fuel profitability also improved. Average fuel margin rose to 42.6 cents per gallon from 38.7 cents in fiscal 2025, while fuel gross profit increased 21% to $1.50 billion.

That makes fuel more than a legacy category for Casey’s. It remains an active profit driver that can support store visits, inside sales opportunities and overall earnings resilience.

Walmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) and Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST - Free Report) offer useful retail context for this trend discussion. Walmart competes broadly for grocery and general merchandise spending, while Costco’s warehouse-club model and fuel offering make it relevant to investors watching value-oriented traffic and gasoline-linked customer behavior.

Casey’s Trend Story Has Pressure PointsPositive trends do not remove execution risk. Operating expenses rose 11.2% in fiscal 2026 to $2.84 billion, reflecting a larger store base and higher labor, credit card and incentive-related costs.

Management expects fiscal 2027 operating expenses to increase 5% to 7%. That means Casey’s needs steady gross profit growth from inside sales, fuel and new stores to absorb the cost pressure.

Interest expense also remains meaningful after acquisition financing. Net interest expense increased 15.1% in fiscal 2026 to $96.6 million, mainly due to debt issued in the prior year to partially fund the Fikes acquisition.

Competition is another pressure point. Casey’s competes with convenience stores, fuel retailers, supermarkets, discount stores, quick-service restaurants and other local and national retailers, all of which can challenge pricing, traffic and customer loyalty.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

CASY Signals Reinforce the Trend SetupThe bottom line is that Casey’s has several active growth trends working in its favor. Food innovation, loyalty engagement, acquisition conversions and fuel profitability give CASY more than one path to expand earnings.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). That rank indicates favorable earnings estimate momentum and supports a constructive near-term view, though it does not eliminate execution risk. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

CASY also has a Value Score of A. Zacks Style Scores are designed to complement the Zacks Rank, and an A grade is favorable for investors evaluating value characteristics. Together, those signals add context to a trend story that remains strong, but still dependent on disciplined execution.

Here at Zacks, we offer our members many different opportunities to take full advantage of the stock market, as well as how to invest in ways that lead to long-term success.

One of our most popular services, Zacks Premium offers daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank; full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List; Equity Research reports; and Premium stock screens like the Earnings ESP filter. All are useful tools to find what stocks to buy, what to sell, and what are today's hottest industries.

It also includes the Focus List, a long-term portfolio of top stocks that have all the elements to beat the market.

Breaking Down the Zacks Focus ListBuilding an investment portfolio from scratch can be difficult, so if you could, wouldn't you take a peek at a curated list of top stocks?

That's what the Zacks Focus List, a portfolio of 50 stocks, offers investors. Not only does it serve as a starting point for long-term investors, but all stocks included in the list are poised to outperform the market over the next 12 months.

Additionally, each selection is accompanied by a full Zacks Analyst Report, something that makes the Focus List even more valuable. The report explains in detail why each stock was picked and why we believe it's good for the long-term.

The portfolio's past performance only solidifies why investors should consider it as a starting point. For 2020, the Focus List gained 13.85% on an annualized basis compared to the S&P 500's return of 9.38%. Cumulatively, the portfolio has returned 2,519.23% while the S&P returned 854.95%. Returns are for the period of February 1, 1996 to March 31, 2021.

Focus List MethodologyWhen stocks are picked for the Focus List, it reflects our enduring reliance on the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Earnings estimates, or expectations of growth and profitability, come from brokerage analysts who track publicly traded companies; these analysts work together with company management to analyze every aspect that may affect future earnings, like interest rates, the economy, and sector and industry optimism.

What a company will earn down the road also needs to be taken into consideration, and this is why earnings estimate revisions are so important.

The stocks that receive positive changes to earnings estimates are more likely to receive even more upward changes in the future. Take this example: if an analyst raised their estimates last month, they'll probably do so again this month, and other analysts will follow.

Harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions is where the Zacks Rank comes in. The Zacks Rank, which is a unique, proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions to make it easier to build a winning portfolio.

The Zacks Rank consists of four main pillars: Agreement, Magnitude, Upside, and Surprise. Each one is given a raw score, which is recalculated every night and compiled into the Rank. Then, stocks are classified into five groups, ranging from "Strong Buy" to "Strong Sell," using this data.

The Focus List is comprised of stocks hand-picked from a long list of #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) ranked companies, meaning that each new addition boasts a bullish earnings consensus among analysts.

Since stock prices respond to revisions, it can be very profitable to buy stocks with rising earnings estimates. By buying Focus List stocks, then, you're likely getting into companies whose future earnings estimates will be raised, potentially leading to price momentum.

Focus List Spotlight: Casey's General Stores (CASY - Free Report) Founded in 1959 and based in Ankeny, IA, Casey's General Stores, Inc. operates convenience stores primarily under the Casey's and Casey's General Store names in 19 states, mainly Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. As of Apr. 30, 2026, the company operated 2,944 stores. Approximately 71% of all stores were located in areas with populations of fewer than 20,000 people.

CASY, a #1 (Strong Buy) stock, was added to the Focus List on August 20, 2019 at $171.98 per share. Since then, shares have increased 383.71% to $831.89.

Five analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.91 to $21.05. CASY also boasts an average earnings surprise of 18.4%.

Moreover, analysts are expecting CASY's earnings to grow 9.9% for the current fiscal year.

Reveal Winning StocksUnlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. You'll quickly identify which stocks to buy, hold and sell, and target today's hottest industries, to help improve the performance of your portfolio. Gain full access now >>

Several stocks spanning the gamut of high dividend yields to high dividend growth just added more juice to their payments. These stocks hold yields that stretch above 13% at the high end, while also seeing recent dividend increases of up to 14%. This leaves investors with multiple options for how to play the yield versus growth spectrum.

Get Target alerts:

Annaly: High-Yield Mortgage REIT With Notable RisksAnnaly Capital Management NYSE: NLY is a real estate investment trust (REIT) with a very high dividend yield. The company is specifically involved in managing mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and other types of debt.

Annaly Capital Management Today

NLY

Annaly Capital Management

$22.44 +0.17 (+0.74%)

As of 11:27 AM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$18.64▼

$24.52Dividend Yield12.48%

P/E Ratio7.59

Price Target$24.11

As a mortgage REIT, the company’s value proposition is its ability to identify and generate returns on MBSs, which then flow to its bottom line. After the company’s latest dividend increase of 7%, Annaly now holds an indicated dividend yield near 13.5%. The company’s next dividend is payable on July 31 to shareholders of record as of June 30.

However, one important risk to understand is Annaly’s use of leverage to generate returns, which increases both upside and downside volatility. Still, Annaly argues that it uses leverage more effectively than others in its industry.

Specifically, the firm notes that its economic return per unit of leverage is 2%, or 30% higher than that of the average mortgage REIT.

In other words, to generate the same gain on its underlying investments, the company has used less leverage than its competitors. Annaly has executed its strategy well, delivering a total return of over 40% since the start of 2025. Approximately half of that return has come through dividends. Overall, Annaly’s large dividend yield is appealing, but leverage risk is something that investors must take into account.

Casey’s: Expanding Dividend Rapidly, Rising Shares Weigh on YieldCasey’s General Stores NASDAQ: CASY may not be in tech or artificial intelligence, but this consumer staples stock has been putting up big returns nonetheless. After rising 40% in 2025, Casey’s has returned approximately 50% in 2026. The convenience store and gas station has made a name for itself due to its in-house food, best known for its pizza.

Casey's General Stores Today

CASY

Casey's General Stores

$781.72 -50.17 (-6.03%)

As of 11:27 AM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$490.00▼

$927.85Dividend Yield0.33%

P/E Ratio40.71

Price Target$923.00

The company has consistently outperformed analyst expectations, with its latest earnings report serving as another reminder of this. Sales grew by 14.5% year over year (YOY) to $4.57 billion, solidly beating estimates, while earnings per share (EPS) soared by 66% to $4.37. This allowed Casey’s to crush expectations of $3.31 by more than $1, leading shares to pop 20% afterward.

Casey’s also announced a substantial dividend increase of 14%. As Casey’s share price has performed well, large dividend increases have also become common, with this marking the fourth year in a row that Casey’s has boosted its dividend by 13% or more.

However, while Casey’s dividend has grown at a fast pace, its share price has grown faster, leaving the stock with a low indicated dividend yield near 0.3%. The company’s next dividend is payable on Aug. 14 to shareholders of record as of the Aug. 1 close. Overall, dividend income is down on the list of reasons to own Casey’s. However, the company’s willingness to strongly increase its capital returns is a nice cherry on top of its impressive underlying performance.

Target: Rebounding Retailer With an Over 3% YieldAnother impressive story in the consumer staples sector is Target NYSE: TGT. After delivering a return of -25% in 2025, Target appointed a new CEO near the beginning of 2026. So far, the move appears to be playing out well. After posting five quarters in a row of negative sales growth, Target grew revenue by 6.7% YOY in its latest quarter. Not only did the figure return to the green, but it was also Target’s highest sales growth rate in approximately four years.

Target Today

$138.81 +4.70 (+3.50%)

As of 11:27 AM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$83.44▼

$138.70Dividend Yield3.34%

P/E Ratio18.37

Price Target$129.00

Target also saw a strong improvement in its EPS, which rose by 31% YOY to $1.71, handily beating estimates of $1.47.

The company now expects to grow sales near 4% during the full year, which would be its best annual growth rate since 2022. As Target works to turn around its business, shares have delivered a return of more than 30% in 2026.

Notably, Target has also announced a small dividend increase of just under 2%, moving its quarterly payout to $1.16. The company’s next dividend is payable on Sept. 1 to shareholders of record as of the Aug. 12 close.

Despite Target’s latest increase being low, the stock’s dividend yield remains relatively high, near 3.5%.

Target also has a very long track record of dividend increases, having raised its payment for 54 years in a row. With this, Target provides investors with a solid dividend yield while also offering upside potential should the recovery in its financial performance continue.

Annaly, Casey's, and Target: Different Flavors of Dividends and GrowthWhile Annaly, Casey's, and Target offer very different dividend profiles, all are showing a strong desire to return increasing amounts of capital to shareholders. When it comes to Annaly, investors should also know the company can significantly drop its dividend at times. This happened in 2023, when the firm reduced its dividend by approximately 26%.

Should You Invest $1,000 in Target Right Now?Before you consider Target, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Target wasn't on the list.

While Target currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

Unlock the timeless value of gold with our exclusive 2026 Gold Forecasting Report. Explore why gold remains the ultimate investment for safeguarding wealth against inflation, economic shifts, and global uncertainties. Whether you're planning for future generations or seeking a reliable asset in turbulent times, this report is your essential guide to making informed decisions.

Get This Free Report

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Casey's General Stores (CASY - Free Report) Founded in 1959 and based in Ankeny, IA, Casey's General Stores, Inc. operates convenience stores under the Casey's and Casey's General Store names in 19 states, mainly Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.As of Jan. 31, 2026 the company operated approximately 2,924 stores.

CASY is a #1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. CASY has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 9.1% for the current fiscal year.

Five analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.83 to $20.90 per share. CASY boasts an average earnings surprise of +18.4%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, CASY should be on investors' short list.

Key Takeaways Retail sales rose 0.9% in May, marking a fourth straight monthly increase and 6.9% annual growth.Online retail sales gained 1.5% in May, while auto dealership receipts increased 1.2%.CASY, FIVE, SBUX, TPR and TJX saw positive earnings estimate revisions in the past 60 days. Americans are spending aggressively amid inflationary pressures. A surge in oil prices since the beginning of the Iran war in late February has been pushing up the prices of goods. However, the retail sector has shown immense resilience amid these challenges.

Retail sales have been on the rise at a steady pace this year, driven by high demand for consumer goods. Given this situation, it would be ideal to invest in retail stocks with a strong online presence. We have selected five stocks, namely, Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY - Free Report) , Five Below, Inc. (FIVE - Free Report) , Starbucks Corporation (SBUX - Free Report) , Tapestry (TPR - Free Report) and The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX - Free Report) .

These stocks have seen positive earnings estimate revisions in the past 60 days, carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and are set for solid returns. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Retail Sales Continue to GrowRetail sales rose 0.9% sequentially in May after increasing 0.4% in the prior month and surpassing analysts’ expectations of a rise of 0.5%. This is the fourth straight month that retail sales have surged. Year over year, retail sales jumped 6.9% in May.

The surge in retail sales was primarily driven by aggressive spending by households on motor vehicles.

Receipts at auto dealerships rose 1.2%, while sales at non-store retailers, which include online retailers, gained 1.5% in May. Sales at furniture stores jumped 1%.

Although part of the rise can be attributed to high oil prices, which saw consumers paying more for gasoline, many believed that the surge was temporary. Oil prices have jumped to a four-year high since the Middle East crisis began in late February.

However, energy costs have eased lately, which is being seen as a positive. Consumer sentiment also rose for the first time in three months in June. The University of Michigan’s latest survey showed that consumer sentiment rose 9% to a preliminary reading of 48.9 in June.

Oil prices are likely to ease further as the United States announced that it has reached a peace deal with Iran, which is likely to be signed soon. The peace deal would allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for the smooth passage of oil tankers and ships.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged in its current range of 3.5-3.75% at the end of its policy meeting on Wednesday. The Fed is mulling an interest rate hike sometime later this year, which could weigh on the retail sector. However, solid demand and aggressive spending have been boosting the retail sector.

5 Retail Stocks With UpsideCasey's General StoresCasey's General Stores, Inc. operates convenience stores under the Casey's and Casey's General Store names in 16 states, mainly Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. CASY offers a comprehensive range of products and services to meet the needs of its customers. In addition to fuel, the stores provide a wide variety of merchandise, including groceries, prepared food, snacks, beverages, tobacco products, health and beauty aids, school supplies, housewares, pet supplies and automotive supplies.

Casey’s has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 4.1% over the last 60 days. CASY currently has a Zacks Rank #2.

Five Below, IncFive Below, Inc. is a specialty value chain retailer that provides a wide range of premium quality and trendy merchandise for $5 or below. FIVE mainly targets teenagers or pre-teen shoppers for its products, which include certain brands and licensed merchandise. Notably, these products belong to categories such as Style, Room, Sports, Tech, Create, Party, Candy and Now.

Five Below’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 30.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 8.1% over the past 60 days. FIVE presently carries a Zacks Rank #1.

Starbucks CorporationStarbucks Corporation is the leading roaster and retailer of specialty coffee globally. In addition to fresh, rich-brewed coffees, SBUX’s offerings include many complimentary food items and a selection of premium teas and other beverages, sold mainly through the company’s retail stores. Starbucks’popular brands include Starbucks coffee, Teavana tea, Seattle's Best Coffee, La Boulange bakery products and Evolution Fresh juices.

Starbucks’ expected earnings growth rate for next year is 12.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 4.3% over the past 60 days. SBUX currently has a Zacks Rank #1.

TapestryTapestry is the designer and marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men in the United States and internationally. TPR offers lifestyle products, which include handbags, women’s and men’s accessories, footwear, jewelry, seasonal apparel collections, sunwear, travel bags, fragrances and watches.

Tapestry’sexpected earnings growth rate for the current year is 36.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 7.8% over the past 60 days. TPR presently sports a Zacks Rank #1.

The TJX CompaniesThe TJX Companies, Inc. is a leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the United States and worldwide. TJX’s broad range of assortments at varying prices helps it reach out to a broad range of consumers. In addition, The TJX Companies tries to attract consumers through a rapid turnover of inventory.

The TJX Companies’ expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 9.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 2.2% over the past 60 days. TJX presently has a Zacks Rank #2.

ANKENY, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Casey's General Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASY), the third largest convenience retailer and fifth largest pizza chain in the United States, will host its 2026 Investor Day in New York City on June 24, 2026, where it will discuss its new three-year strategic plan. The event will include presentations and a Q&A with members of the Casey's leadership team. Attendance in person is by invitation only. However, the event will also be webcast live and all interested part.

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.

The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Casey's General Stores (CASY - Free Report) Founded in 1959 and based in Ankeny, IA, Casey's General Stores, Inc. operates convenience stores under the Casey's and Casey's General Store names in 19 states, mainly Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.As of Jan. 31, 2026 the company operated approximately 2,924 stores.

CASY is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Retail-Wholesale stock. CASY has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 4.4% over the past four weeks.

Two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.44 to $20.51 per share. CASY boasts an average earnings surprise of +18.4%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, CASY should be on investors' short list.

Live Updates Jun 9, 2026 at 4:52 PM EDT

That wraps up our initial coverage of Casey’s General Stores’ Q4 results. Thank you for stopping by!

The company’s Q4 earnings call will be on June 10, 2026, at 8:30 AM ET.

Jun 9, 2026 at 4:49 PM EDT

With Q4 in the books, attention shifts to a packed catalyst calendar that will determine whether Casey’s can defend its 73.94% one-year run.

Earnings call: June 10, 2026, at 8:30 AM ET. Investors will listen for color on the FY2027 8%-10% EBITDA guidance, CEFCO integration, and the Q4 fuel margin of 46.9 cents per gallon. Investor Day: On June 24, management will unveil the next three-year strategic plan. Capital returns: Dividend record date August 1, 2026, plus the freshly expanded $1 billion buyback. Q1 FY2027: Historically reported in early September. Jun 9, 2026 at 4:47 PM EDT

The numbers are official. Casey’s General Stores (NASDAQ:CASY | CASY Price Prediction) cleared both top and bottom-line consensus by wide margins in Q4 FY2026, extending its four-quarter beat streak.

Metric Expected Actual Beat/Miss % Diff EPS $3.32 $4.37 Beat +31.6% Revenue $4.34B $4.57B Beat +5.3% EPS rose 66.2% year-over-year, fueled by inside same-store sales of +5.5% and a 29.1% jump in fuel gross profit.

Shares last traded at $761.18, with a +1.27% gain in the regular session. Polymarket’s beat probability slid from 82% pre-release to 72.5% after, hinting traders are wrestling with the FY2027 guidance reset rather than the headline beat.

Jun 9, 2026 at 4:43 PM EDT

With earnings now reported, the thesis hinges on one question: Is the 2% post-earnings rally sustainable, or did management’s FY2027 guidance reset expectations lower?

Bull Case Q4 EPS of $4.37 jumped 66.2% YoY, with same-store sales accelerating to 5.5% and margins expanding to 42.4%. Fuel gross profit rose 29.1% at 46.9 cents per gallon. Dividend raised 14% (27th straight hike) with a $1 billion buyback authorization. Bear Case FY2027 EBITDA growth is guided to 8-10%, down sharply from FY2026’s 18-20% trajectory. Capex jumps to roughly $800 million versus $655.92 million in FY2026, pressuring free cash flow. Opex climbs 5-7%, with CEFCO integration execution pending. Shares trade at a 43x forward P/E after a 73.94% one-year run, leaving little room for disappointment. The June 24 Investor Day becomes the next catalyst to resolve the debate.

Jun 9, 2026 at 4:39 PM EDT

The headline Q4 results were excellent, but investors will likely spend most of tonight focused on Casey’s FY2027 outlook.

Management guided to 8%-10% EBITDA growth, below the 18%-20% EBITDA growth expected for FY2026. While some slowdown was anticipated following the large CEFCO acquisition, the guidance suggests investors may need to temper expectations for another year of outsized growth.

The key question heading into Casey’s June 24 Investor Day is whether management is once again setting a conservative baseline that it can raise throughout the year, a pattern the company has followed repeatedly in recent years.

Jun 9, 2026 at 4:34 PM EDT

Casey’s General Stores just reported a strong Q4, delivering sizable beats on both revenue and earnings while providing its first look at FY2027 guidance.

Revenue: $4.57B vs. $4.34B expected ✅ Adjusted EPS: $4.37 vs. $3.32 expected ✅ FY2027 Outlook:

Inside Same-Store Sales: 2% to 5% Inside Margin: Above 42% Same-Store Fuel Gallons Sold: -1% to +1% Total OpEx Growth: 5% to 7% EBITDA Growth: 8% to 10% New Stores: At least 120 CapEx: Approximately $800 million Quick Read:

Casey’s delivered a monster quarter, beating EPS expectations by 31.6% and revenue expectations by 5.3%.

The company’s core prepared foods and inside-sales business remains healthy, with management guiding for 2% to 5% same-store sales growth and inside margins above 42%.

The biggest debate will be FY2027 guidance. Management is targeting 8% to 10% EBITDA growth after guiding to 18% to 20% growth in FY2026, which could spark questions about whether growth is normalizing following the CEFCO acquisition.

Jun 9, 2026 at 3:54 PM EDT

While fuel generates the majority of Casey’s revenue, investors increasingly view prepared foods as the company’s most important growth driver.

Prepared foods account for a much smaller share of sales but carry significantly higher margins, with pizza remaining one of Casey’s strongest differentiators. One analyst recently described Casey’s as “a pizza company that also happens to be a gas station,” highlighting how prepared foods have helped the company drive profitability even as fuel margins fluctuate.

That strategy has helped Casey’s grow from a small Iowa gas station chain into nearly 3,000 stores across the United States. The company is now the third-largest convenience store chain in the country and the fifth-largest pizza seller by volume.

The strategy also plays a major role in Casey’s acquisition playbook. Management has historically acquired lower-margin convenience stores and improved performance by expanding prepared food offerings and leveraging its distribution network.

Investors will be watching tonight’s Q4 report for updates on inside same-store sales, prepared food growth, and margins to see whether this key growth engine continues to gain momentum.

Jun 9, 2026 at 3:49 PM EDT

Casey’s growth strategy has shifted meaningfully over time. While the company historically expanded through new store openings, acquisitions now play a much larger role in the growth story.

The company’s recent $1.1 billion acquisition of CEFCO added 198 stores across four southern states and marked the largest acquisition in Casey’s history. Management’s ability to improve acquired stores through prepared food offerings and operational efficiencies has become a key part of the investment thesis.

As investors look toward FY2027 guidance and the June 24 Investor Day, updates on acquisition integration, new-store growth, and future expansion plans could be just as important as the quarterly earnings results themselves.

Jun 9, 2026 at 3:44 PM EDT

Track Record: Under-Promise, Over-Deliver CEO Darren Rebelez has built credibility by setting achievable targets and clearing them. EPS surprises across the last four quarters averaged in double digits: 36.98%, 13.95%, 6.26%, and 17.38%. Revenue beat in three of those four quarters, with only Q3 FY2026 missing by 3.14%.

Guidance accuracy skews conservative. FY2026 EBITDA growth started at 10-12%, was lifted to 15-17% after Q2, then to 18-20% after Q3. Rebelez’s tone stays uniformly positive, framing Q3 as “another successful quarter”. Jim Cramer recently noted Casey’s “has beaten the earnings expectations for 11 straight quarters by an average of 18%”.

The market doesn’t always reward beats: shares slid 5.34% on the day of the Q2 FY2026 release despite topping the Street.

Jun 9, 2026 at 3:37 PM EDT

The FY2027 outlook from Casey’s General Stores (NASDAQ:CASY) will likely drive the stock’s reaction after tonight’s Q4 earnings. Management has a clear pattern of giving conservative initial guidance, then raising. As an example, FY2026 EBITDA growth started at 10%-12%, climbed to 15%-17%, and now sits at 18%-20%.

Wall Street wants guidance on five metrics:

FY2027 EBITDA growth Inside same-store sales Inside margin trajectory off the 42.2% Q3 level Fuel margin sustainability New-store cadence beyond the 500-store three-year plan Bullish setup: Initial FY2027 EBITDA growth of 10%+ off the elevated base, inside comps above 3%, and a CEFCO margin uplift quantified ahead of the June 24 Investor Day.

Bearish: Low single-digit EBITDA growth, flat margins, fuel normalizing below 38 cents/gallon.

Jun 9, 2026 at 3:33 PM EDT

Casey’s General Stores (NASDAQ:CASY) heads into the after-bell release with Polymarket pricing in an 82% probability of a beat.

Bull Case Four consecutive EPS beats, with Q3 surprising by 17.38%. Management raised FY26 EBITDA growth guidance twice, now 18-20%. Inside margin expanded ~130 bps to 42.2%; fuel margins held near 41 cpg. Analyst target sits at $842.81 with 12 buys, zero sells. Bear Case Q3 revenue missed by 3.14%, with sales up just 0.3% YoY. Shares trade at a forward P/E of 37.6 after a 69.92% one-year run. Q4 is seasonally smallest; prior-year EPS was just $2.63, leaving little cushion. CEO Rebelez sold 7,300 shares in March, and fuel margin sustainability remains a question. Jun 9, 2026 at 3:09 PM EDT

Casey’s reports Q4 earnings tonight at 4;30 PM ET, but investors may be just as focused on what the results mean for the company’s upcoming Investor Day on June 24 in New York. Management is expected to unveil its next three-year strategic plan, making tonight’s report an important setup event.

A strong quarter, reaffirmation of the company’s long-term 18-20% EBITDA growth framework, and a constructive FY2027 outlook would give CEO Darren Rebelez momentum heading into Investor Day. In that scenario, management could enter the event with wind in its sails, and investors would focus on the next phase of growth.

On the other hand, a softer quarter or weaker guidance could raise questions about whether Casey’s can deliver on its long-term targets. With shares already pulling back from recent highs, investors will be watching closely to see whether tonight’s results strengthen the growth narrative or reinforce concerns that the slowdown is more than just a temporary pause.

This live blog is being updated by Thomas Richmond, a 24/7 Wall St. contributor. You’ll get expert analysis of Casey’s General Stores’ earnings. Simply stay on this page, and new updates will appear below automatically. We expect CASY’s earnings to be released shortly after 4:30 p.m. ET.

Casey’s General Stores (NASDAQ: CASY) reports fiscal fourth-quarter results today, June 9, after the market close at 4:30 PM ET. The company’s conference call will be tomorrow at 8:30 AM ET. After a blowout Q3 and a raised full-year outlook, this report closes the book on a banner fiscal 2026.

A Banner Year Meets High Expectations Q3 was a big quarter, with Casey’s posting diluted EPS of $3.49 against a $2.9733 consensus, a 17.38% beat. Net income jumped 49.34% to $130 million. Inside same-store sales rose 4.0%, while inside margin expanded roughly 130 basis points to 42.2%, and fuel margin hit 41.0 cents per gallon versus 36.4 a year earlier.

Management raised full-year EBITDA growth guidance to 18% to 20%, up from a 10-12% start. CASY is up 36.21% year-to-date and 69.92% over the past year, though the stock has cooled 12.55% in the last month as Q4 expectations crept higher.

The Bar to Clear Metric Prior Year Q4 (FY25) FY25 Full Year Diluted EPS $2.63 $14.64 Revenue $3.99B $15.94B Fuel margin (cents/gal) 37.6 n/a Inside same-store sales +1.7% n/a Margins, Mix, and the Integration Test Three key stories will likely be the main focus of this report. First, inside execution. Same-store sales need to land in the guided 3.5% to 4.5% range, and CFO Steve Bramlage told analysts that year-to-date SSS was tracking around 3.8%, with Q4 expected to be “pretty close” to that pace. I’ll be watching whether inside margin holds the 42.2% level, especially as non-alcoholic beverages and nicotine alternatives (vapor up 12%, pouches up 31%) keep mix-shifting higher.

Second, fuel. The 41-cent Q3 number was strong, and CEO Darren Rebelez framed volatility from the Iran situation as a familiar pattern, citing the Russia-Ukraine precedent where margins compressed and then ran above $0.40 per gallon for three straight quarters. The Q4 comp is 37.6 cents, so even a modest hold would read as growth.

Third, the CEFCO/Fikes integration. CEO Bramlage said synergies are tracking “slightly ahead”, with 50 additional kitchen conversions due by year-end and prepared-food synergies (about 40% of the total) ramping into FY27. Investors will also watch the store count update toward the stated 500-store three-year plan and any updates on the company’s 27th straight dividend hike. Polymarket traders price an 83.5% probability of a beat.

The Ankeny, Iowa company pointed to strong sales of whole pizzas as well as appetizers and sides, in addition to strength in nonalcoholic beverages.

For the quarter ended April 2026, Casey's General Stores (CASY - Free Report) reported revenue of $4.57 billion, up 14.5% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $4.37, compared to $2.63 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +4.02% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.4 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $3.36, the EPS surprise was +30.01%.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Casey's performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Same-store sales - Grocery & General Merchandise - YoY change: 5.1% versus the three-analyst average estimate of 3.9%.Inside same-store sales: 5.5% compared to the 4.5% average estimate based on three analysts.Number of Stores (EOP): 2,944 compared to the 2,949 average estimate based on three analysts.Number of Fuel gallons sold: 848.33 million compared to the 834.98 million average estimate based on three analysts.Same-store sales - Prepared Food & Dispensed Beverage - YoY change: 6.6% versus 5.1% estimated by three analysts on average.Same-store sales - Fuel gallons - YoY change: 1.5% versus 0.1% estimated by three analysts on average.Number of Stores (BOP): 2,904 compared to the 2,924 average estimate based on two analysts.Net Sales- Fuel: $2.88 billion versus $2.68 billion estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +18.3% change.Net Sales- Other: $169.04 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $142.48 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +20.6%.Net Sales- Prepared Food & Dispensed Beverage: $427.62 million versus $417.03 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +9.2% change.Net Sales- Grocery & General Merchandise: $1.09 billion versus the three-analyst average estimate of $1.08 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +6.7%.Gross Profit- Grocery & General Merchandise: $389.19 million compared to the $384.85 million average estimate based on three analysts.View all Key Company Metrics for Casey's here>>>

Shares of Casey's have returned -14.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.2% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Casey’s stock is building positive momentum. What’s pushing CASY stock higher? Casey’s reported earnings per share of $4.37, beating the consensus estimate of $3.31. In addition, it reported revenue of $4.57 billion, beating the consensus estimate of $4.30 billion.

Inside the StoreInside same-store sales were up 5.5% compared to the prior year — and 7.4% on a two-year stack basis — with an inside margin of 42.4%. Total inside gross profit increased 10.5% to $643.4 million compared to the prior year, led by strong performance in prepared foods and non-alcoholic beverages.

FuelFuel same-store gallons were up 1.5% compared to the prior year, with a fuel margin of 46.9 cents per gallon. Total fuel gross profit increased 29.1% to $397.4 million compared to the prior year.

Capital ReturnsThe company repurchased approximately $63 million of shares during the quarter. On June 4, the Board of Directors authorized an expansion of its share repurchase program to a total of $1 billion, with no expiration date. The Board also voted to increase the quarterly dividend by 14% to $0.65 per share — the 27th consecutive year of dividend increases — payable August 14, 2026.

Balance SheetAt April 30, the company had approximately $1.4 billion in available liquidity, consisting of approximately $523 million in cash and approximately $900 million in available borrowing capacity on existing lines of credit.

“Casey’s delivered another record fiscal year as our team closed out the three-year strategic plan on an extremely high note,” said Darren Rebelez, President and CEO.

Casey’s Shares Edge HigherCASY Price Action: At the time of publication, Casey’s stock is trading 1.42% higher at $772.00, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

Image via Shutterstock

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.

U.S. stocks were lower, with the Dow Jones index falling over 150 points on Wednesday.

Shares of Caseys General Stores Inc (NASDAQ:CASY) rose sharply following strong quarterly earnings.

For the fourth quarter, EPS were $4.37, exceeding the analyst estimate of $3.32 by 31.63%. Revenue for the quarter reached $4.57 billion, topping the expected $4.35 billion by 5.06%.

Caseys shares jumped 14.4% to $871.24 on Wednesday.

Here are some other big stocks recording gins in today’s session.

Photo via Shutterstock

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.

Casey's General Stores: Is a Stock Split on the Horizon?Casey's General Stores NASDAQ: CASY reported record fiscal 2026 results, with executives highlighting strong in-store sales, higher fuel profitability and continued store expansion during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Darren Rebelez said the convenience store operator delivered its highest-ever diluted earnings per share, net income and EBITDA for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2026. Diluted earnings per share rose 31% from the prior year to $19.16, while net income increased 31% to $714 million. EBITDA reached nearly $1.5 billion, up 23% year over year.

Get Casey's General Stores alerts:

The Quiet Retail Compounder Investors Keep Buying on Every Dip“Our fiscal 2026 results illustrate the durability and strength of Casey's advantage business model,” Rebelez said. “We're confident in our ability to deliver results in a variety of economic climates.”

Fourth-Quarter Earnings Jump on Inside Sales and Fuel Margins Chief Financial Officer Steve Bramlage said fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share were $4.37, up 66% from the prior year. Net income increased 65.5% to $162.7 million, while EBITDA rose 33.2% to $350.3 million.

3 Reasons Casey’s General Stores Will Continue Trending HigherTotal inside sales in the quarter increased 7.4% to more than $1.5 billion. Inside gross profit dollars rose $61 million, or 10.5%, as the average inside margin reached 42.4%.

Prepared Food and Dispensed Beverage sales increased 9.2% to $428 million, while same-store sales in the category rose 6.6%. The segment’s average margin improved 170 basis points from a year earlier to 59.5%. Bramlage said whole pizzas, appetizers and sides performed well, while improved waste management was the primary driver of margin expansion. Lower LIFO charges and a modest decline in cheese costs also helped margins.

Grocery and General Merchandise sales increased 6.7% to $1.09 billion, with same-store sales up 5.1%. The category’s average margin increased 90 basis points to 35.7%. Bramlage said sales were particularly strong in non-alcoholic beverages, especially energy drinks, and that cost of goods management and product mix, including nicotine and nicotine alternatives, supported margin gains.

On fuel, same-store gallons sold increased 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Fuel margin was $0.469 per gallon, up about $0.093 from the prior year. Retail fuel sales increased $446 million, driven mainly by a 14.1% increase in the average retail fuel price to $3.40 and a 3.6% increase in total gallons sold to 848 million.

Full-Year Sales Growth Led by Pizza, Beverages and Fuel For the full fiscal year, total inside sales grew 10.2%, while inside same-store sales increased 4.2%, or 7% on a two-year stack. Prepared Food and Dispensed Beverage sales rose 10.2%, with same-store sales up 5.2%. Grocery and General Merchandise sales also increased 10.1%, with same-store sales up 3.9%.

Rebelez said whole pizzas and non-alcoholic beverages helped drive the results. He pointed to product initiatives including limited-time offers, specialty pizza expansion, a new frozen carbonated beverage platform, and the rollout of wings. Casey’s also partnered with Monster on a Red, White & Blue Razz flavor sold almost exclusively at Casey’s from late January to early May.

Fuel gross profit increased 21% for the year, with total fuel gallons sold up 10% and fuel margin averaging $0.426 per gallon.

Rebelez also said Casey’s operations team continued to control costs. Same-store operating expenses, excluding credit card fees, increased 3.7% for the year, helped by a 0.2% reduction in same-store labor hours. He said guest satisfaction and team member engagement were at or near all-time highs.

Balance Sheet, Dividend and Buybacks Bramlage said Casey’s balance sheet remains in “excellent condition,” with total available liquidity of $1.4 billion as of April 30. The company’s debt-to-EBITDA ratio, calculated under its credit facilities, was 1.5 times.

In the fourth quarter, Casey’s generated $398 million in operating cash flow and spent $191 million on property, plant and equipment, resulting in $207 million in free cash flow. Full-year free cash flow totaled $722 million, including an approximately $100 million cash tax benefit related to capital spending from the One Big Beautiful Bill, Bramlage said.

Return on invested capital finished the fiscal year at 12.7%, up 120 basis points from the prior year. Bramlage said that was the company’s highest return on invested capital since a tax-aided 2018.

The board approved a 14% dividend increase to $0.65 per share, marking the 27th consecutive year of dividend increases. Casey’s repurchased approximately $63 million of shares during the quarter, and the board expanded the company’s share repurchase program to up to $1 billion. Bramlage said Casey’s anticipates approximately $200 million in share repurchases in fiscal 2027.

Fiscal 2027 Outlook Calls for EBITDA Growth For fiscal 2027, Casey’s expects inside same-store sales to increase 2% to 5%, with inside margin above 42%. Same-store fuel gallons sold are expected to range from down 1% to up 1%. Total operating expenses are expected to increase approximately 5% to 7%.

The company expects EBITDA to grow 8% to 10%, which Bramlage said would imply a 35% increase on a two-year stack at the midpoint of the range. Casey’s expects to open at least 120 stores in fiscal 2027 through an even mix of acquisitions and new store construction.

Other fiscal 2027 expectations include:

Net interest expense of approximately $95 million. Depreciation and amortization of approximately $490 million. Purchases of property, plant and equipment of approximately $800 million, including costs to convert the majority of CEFCO stores to Casey’s. A tax rate of approximately 24% to 26%. Bramlage said Casey’s is not providing guidance for fuel margin per gallon or earnings per share. For modeling purposes, the EBITDA outlook is based on a mid-40-cents-per-gallon fuel margin, along with the other guidance assumptions.

Executives Discuss Fuel, Wings and Store Expansion During the question-and-answer session, Rebelez said fuel margins benefited from volatility in wholesale fuel costs during the quarter. He said the path of fuel prices was more uneven than in some prior periods, which allowed margins to widen at certain points.

Asked about consumer behavior, Rebelez said consumers are “hanging in there,” though they may be more discerning. He said Casey’s is seeing growth across income cohorts, with somewhat less growth among lower-income consumers. At the pump, he said higher fuel prices are leading to modest changes, including lower premium fuel sales, higher ethanol-blended fuel sales and smaller gallons per transaction. He also said gallons redeemed through Casey’s Rewards were up 23% in the quarter.

Rebelez said wings are performing well as Casey’s expands the offering, with guests ordering them both alongside pizza and as a standalone item. He said customers who order wings on their own have increased their Prepared Food order frequency by 30%, and whole pizza volume in stores selling wings remains up in the high single digits.

On store growth, Rebelez said the company’s target of at least 120 new stores in fiscal 2027 represents a return to Casey’s typical growth algorithm of about 4% new units annually. Bramlage said the company remains bullish on acquisition opportunities, citing a fragmented convenience store industry with many small operators under pressure.

Rebelez also said Casey’s completed a three-year strategic plan built around accelerating the food business, increasing unit count and improving operational efficiency. Over the plan period, the company added more than 500 units, exceeding its original goal of 350, and reduced same-store labor hours by approximately 5% while improving turnover by more than 70 percentage points.

About Casey's General Stores NASDAQ: CASYCasey's General Stores, Inc NASDAQ: CASY is a U.S.-based convenience store chain that operates retail fuel stations and food-focused convenience outlets. Founded in 1959 in Boone, Iowa, the company has grown from a single neighborhood store into a regional operator known for combining traditional convenience retailing—fuel, packaged goods and tobacco—with a larger emphasis on fresh and prepared foods.

The company's stores typically offer gasoline and diesel alongside a range of grocery essentials, grab-and-go items and made-to-order foodservice.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

Should You Invest $1,000 in Casey's General Stores Right Now?Before you consider Casey's General Stores, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Casey's General Stores wasn't on the list.

While Casey's General Stores currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

Just getting into the stock market? These 10 simple stocks can help beginning investors build long-term wealth without knowing options, technicals, or other advanced strategies.

Get This Free Report

Casey's General Stores (CASY 1.59%) stock jumped 15.6% through 11:40 a.m. ET Wednesday, after reporting better than expected earnings last night.

Heading into the company's fiscal Q4 2026 report, analysts predicted Casey's would earn $3.31 per share on $4.2 billion in quarterly sales. In fact, Casey's reported $4.37 per share in profit on nearly $4.6 billion in sales.

Image source: Getty Images.

Casey's Q4 earnings Casey's same-store sales jumped 5.5% "inside" -- meaning not counting fuel sales -- and fuel sales increased 1.5% by volume. Profits were higher inside than outside, but overall, $4.37 per share in quarterly earnings translated into a 66.2% year-over-year increase in GAAP profits.

Q4 was, of course, the final quarter of Casey's fiscal year, so let's look next at the full-year numbers: In fiscal 2026, Casey's grew its sales 10.7%, and grew earnings 30.9% to $19.16 per share. Inside same-store sales were up 4.2% for the year, which means that sales growth accelerated in the year's final quarter (hitting the aforementioned 5.5%).

Today's Change

(

-1.59

%) $

-14.55

Current Price

$

901.73

What's next for Casey's stock So Casey's got momentum as it exits fiscal 2026. Now, what does fiscal 2027 look like?

Turning to guidance, it seems we're looking at something of a slowdown, with inside same-store sales predicted to range from 2% to 5%, and fuel sales (again, by volume, not dollars) roughly flat year over year.

Now here's the bad news: Analysts polled by Yahoo! Finance are expecting Casey's revenue to grow 9% this year. On the one hand, that's a bit slower than fiscal 2026's growth rate. On the other hand, it's well above the same-store sales growth Casey's envisions. High gas prices could help Casey's hit the analyst target, but if the Hormuz crisis resolves and gas prices fall, a 2027 earnings miss is certainly possible.

Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Casey's General Stores. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Casey's General Stores Inc (CASY) Q4 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Profits and Strategic Expansion Plans Casey's General Stores Inc (CASY) reports a 31% increase in net income and outlines ambitious growth strategies for fiscal 2027. Summary

Diluted Earnings Per Share: $19.16 for the fiscal year, a 31% increase over the prior year.Net Income: $714 million, a 31% increase over the prior year.EBITDA: Nearly $1.5 billion, a 23% increase from the prior year.Total Inside Sales Growth: 10.2% for the fiscal year.Inside Same-Store Sales Growth: 4.2% for the fiscal year.Inside Margin: Expanded 70 basis points to 42.2% year-over-year.Fuel Gross Profit: Up 21% with a fuel margin averaging $0.42 per gallon.Same-Store Operating Expenses: Up 3.7% for the year, excluding credit card fees.Fourth Quarter Diluted Earnings Per Share: $4.37, a 66% increase from the prior year.Fourth Quarter Total Inside Sales: Rose 7.4% to over $1.5 billion.Fourth Quarter Inside Margin: 42.4%.Fourth Quarter Net Income: $162.7 million, a 65.5% increase from the prior year.Fourth Quarter EBITDA: $350.3 million, a 33.2% increase.Total Available Liquidity: $1.4 billion as of April 30th.Free Cash Flow for Fiscal Year: $722 million.Return on Invested Capital: 12.7%, up 120 basis points from the prior year.Dividend Increase: 14% to $0.65 per share.Share Repurchase: Approximately $63 million repurchased during the quarter.Store Growth: Opened 80 stores in fiscal 2026, with 40 acquisitions and 40 new builds.

Release Date: June 10, 2026

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points Casey's General Stores Inc CASY achieved the highest ever diluted earnings per share at $19.16 and net income of $714 million, both representing a 31% increase over the prior year.The company generated nearly $1.5 billion in EBITDA, marking its highest ever, with a 23% increase from the prior year.Total inside sales grew by 10.2% during the year, with inside same-store sales up 4.2% or 7% on a two-year stack basis.Fuel gross profit increased by 21%, with total fuel gallons sold up 10% and fuel margin averaging 42.06 cents per gallon.Casey's General Stores Inc (CASY) plans to open at least 120 stores in fiscal 2027 through a mix of mergers and acquisitions and new store construction. Negative Points Same-store operating expenses, excluding credit card fees, were up 3.7% for the year, impacted by a reduction of same-store labor hours of 0.2%.Total operating expenses increased by 10.1% or $67 million in the fourth quarter, with approximately 2% due to operating 40 more stores than the prior year.Higher performance-based variable incentive compensation and discretionary charitable contributions contributed to approximately 4% of the operating expense increase.The effective tax rate for the quarter was 23.7%, up from 23% in the prior year due to an increase in unfavorable permanent differences.The company anticipates first-quarter operating expenses to be up high single-digits, partially due to higher credit card fees from increased retail fuel prices. Q & A Highlights Q: Darren, regarding the fuel side of the business, has the historical relationship between higher RBOB prices and fuel margin compression changed?
A: Darren Rebelez, CEO: The dynamics have been different this quarter due to volatility. Retailers tend to hold prices steady despite fluctuations, which allowed us to capture more margin during volatile periods.

Q: Can you discuss the durability of the inside margin progression, particularly in prepared food and grocery?
A: Steve Bramlage, CFO: Structural tailwinds, such as the shift to nicotine alternatives and energy drinks, are benefiting margins. Prepared food margins are more commodity-driven, but we see opportunities in waste reduction and product mix.

Q: How is consumer behavior affecting your business, especially with higher gas prices?
A: Darren Rebelez, CEO: Consumers are being more discerning, but we're seeing growth across all income cohorts. Fuel-related behaviors are minor, and our rewards program is helping offset fuel costs for consumers.

Q: Can you provide insights on the rollout of wings and their impact on sales?
A: Darren Rebelez, CEO: Wings have performed well, creating an incremental occasion. They are not cannibalizing pizza sales and have increased prepared food order frequency by 30% where available.

Q: What is your outlook on store growth and acquisition opportunities?
A: Darren Rebelez, CEO: We're targeting 120 new units this year, aligning with our growth algorithm. Steve Bramlage, CFO: The M&A environment is favorable, with many small players under pressure, providing consolidation opportunities.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

Casey's General Stores Today

CASY

Casey's General Stores

$907.86 -8.42 (-0.92%)

As of 10:20 AM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$490.00▼

$927.85Dividend Yield0.25%

P/E Ratio47.33

Price Target$871.67

Casey’s General Stores NYSE: CASY is a compelling buy. The hot guidance for fiscal 2027 (FY2027) affirms the investment thesis, and early Q2 2026 price action is a natural market mechanic that will enable future gains.

Signals, including technical chart patterns, analyst sentiment, and institutional activity, were bullish ahead of the June 9 earnings release, driving price action to unsustainable levels. June’s price pullback realigned the market with sentiment trends, setting CASY up to continue its uptrend as the year progresses. Notably, CASY reaffirmed this thesis the day after the company released earnings, surging 19%.

Get Casey's General Stores alerts:

Casey’s Market Signals Strength and Confidence: Uptrend IntactCasey’s chart signals are robust. With price action on the brink of going parabolic, the signals include a steadily strengthening MACD, a MACD converging with recent highs, and a stochastic that reveals strengthening support. While it, too, shows convergence with the recent highs, the more telling signal is the dip pattern, which reveals support rising to the bait each time it's offered. The likely outcome is that CASY investors will continue to buy dips as they arise, with significant fundamental factors in play to incentivize the activity.

Casey’s investment thesis begins with a goal of growing through consolidation. The gas and convenience store market is highly fragmented, leaving players like Casey well positioned to expand their territory through acquisition. The thesis strengthens with the team, which has a two-pronged approach: managing fuel and in-store operations separately, with great success. Fuel margins run at consistently high levels, as do in-store margins, enabling a healthy cash flow, profitability, and balance sheet strength. The balance sheet is central to the thesis, as it is fortress-quality, enabling self-funded expansion and capital returns.

Casey’s capital return is a catalyst in 2026. The company halted buybacks in fiscal 2025 to preserve capital and cash flow for a major acquisition. The story as 2026 reaches mid-year is that the acquisition is complete, integration is smooth, and cash flow needs are reprioritized toward capital returns, including dividends and share buybacks.

Casey’s Has Catalysts and Tailwinds Driving Bullish Price ActionSigns of cash flow strength are seen in the dividend, which was recently increased by 14%, the 25th consecutive annual increase, and the buybacks, which are reducing the share count. Highlights from the company's fiscal Q4 2026 release include $63 million in quarterly buybacks, representing 0.18% of market cap, and a 0.5% year-over-year decline in shares. Looking ahead, Casey’s General Stores will likely continue to reduce its share count quarterly, unless, of course, it needs to make another acquisition.

Analysts and institutional trends underpin the stock price action, reinforcing the view that the June pullback is a natural and necessary market function. The consensus price target is rising quickly and is likely to continue its uptrend as the year progresses. Up 5% in the 30 days preceding the earnings release and 75% on a trailing 12-month basis, consensus provides solid support for this market, with the high-end range of $915 forecasting a fresh all-time high. And the $915 target is no outlier; several targets put this stock in the high-$800 to low-$900 range, and more are expected over time.

Institutional trends are equally bullish. MarketBeat’s data reveal that the group owns more than 85% of the stock and has been accumulating on balance for seven consecutive quarters. Their activity ramped in 2025 as the Fike’s acquisition progressed, sustained the higher level in 2026 and ramped again in Q2. The takeaway is that institutions are confident in this company’s growth trajectory and capital return and are likely to limit downside in the event of price pullbacks.

Casey’s General Stores Wows With Earnings Strength and FY2027 GuidanceCasey’s General Stores had an amazing quarter, with revenue topping $4.55 billion, up 14.5% and more than 500 basis points (bps) better than expected. The strength was driven by both segments and new stores. Inside comps grew by 5.5%, fuel comps by 1.5%, and stores by nearly 14%.

Margin news was another area of strength, with the teams driving wider margins in both segments. Fuel was the star, with fuel gallon margin up nearly 10 cents to a historically high level, while inside comps were also strong. EBITDA grew by 33.2%, well ahead of revenue, net income by 65.5%, and GAAP earnings per share by 66.2%, aided by a reduced share count.

Guidance is the catalyst for higher share prices. The company expects systemwide comps in the low single digits, with inside sales up as much as 5% and fuel gallons flat. The takeaway is that low-single-digit comps plus a 14% increase in store count translate into better-than-expected guidance and a stronger outlook for capital returns.

Should You Invest $1,000 in Casey's General Stores Right Now?Before you consider Casey's General Stores, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Casey's General Stores wasn't on the list.

While Casey's General Stores currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

Just getting into the stock market? These 10 simple stocks can help beginning investors build long-term wealth without knowing options, technicals, or other advanced strategies.

Get This Free Report