Natural food products have moved beyond a niche category and are becoming a larger part of everyday consumer spending. Growing attention to health, nutrition and sustainability is encouraging consumers across demographics to favor foods that support healthier lifestyles. This broadening demand creates a favorable backdrop for companies exposed to natural and better-for-you categories.
Ingredient quality and transparency now play a greater role in purchase decisions. Shoppers are paying closer attention to labels and increasingly favoring recognizable ingredients, minimal processing and attributes such as organic, non-GMO and preservative-free formulations. This suggests clean-label demand is becoming more durable, creating opportunities for manufacturers and retailers to strengthen their portfolios with differentiated products that better match evolving expectations around nutrition, simplicity and transparency.
Stronger food-labeling standards and public health initiatives are supporting the natural food category. Companies that emphasize transparent sourcing, product quality, ethical supply chains and sustainable production can strengthen brand credibility and customer loyalty. These advantages may also support premium pricing, as consumers show willingness to pay more for products they view as healthier, safer and responsibly produced.
Companies like Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NGVC - Free Report) and The Kroger Co. (KR - Free Report) are fortifying their competitive positions by broadening product assortments, expanding private-label offerings and improving access to natural and organic foods. Strong sourcing capabilities and differentiated merchandising can help these companies capture a larger share of health-focused consumer spending while supporting customer retention and basket growth.
Future industry growth is likely to be shaped by product innovation and broader distribution. Investment in plant-based foods, functional nutrition, sustainable agriculture and digital commerce is enabling companies to reach new customer groups and respond more quickly to changing preferences. The expansion of online grocery platforms and convenient fulfillment options is also reducing barriers to purchase, making specialty products such as organic, gluten-free and nutrient-enhanced foods more accessible to a wider consumer base. The global healthy foods industry is expected to reach $1.25 trillion in 2026. By 2034, the market is forecast to expand to approximately $2.34 trillion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 8.2% over 2026-2034.
If you're looking to capitalize on this trend, our Natural Foods Screen makes it easy to identify high-potential stocks such as Dole plc (DOLE - Free Report) , United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) and Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM - Free Report) .
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3 Natural Food Stocks to WatchDole plc is well positioned to benefit from the growing consumer focus on health, wellness and fresh food, supported by its broad portfolio of fruits and vegetables sold across more than 85 countries. The company’s offerings, including bananas, pineapples, kiwi, avocados, cherries and berries, give it direct exposure to demand for nutritious foods. Management noted that fresh-produce consumption remained resilient in the second quarter of 2026, supported by long-term health and wellness trends. Dole is reinforcing this position through investments in production, sourcing and distribution capabilities. Strong European banana volumes provided support during the quarter, although adverse weather constrained pineapple availability. These initiatives highlight Dole’s focus on strengthening its fresh-produce platform while improving supply reliability and positioning the business to capture sustained consumer interest in healthier food choices.
Dole is also broadening its natural-food exposure through a diversified produce portfolio that includes kiwi, avocados, cherries and berries. In the second quarter, Diversified Fresh Produce Americas & ROW benefited from higher volumes of kiwi, avocados and cherries, while profitability improved with continued benefits from the restructuring of berry operations. This mix reduces dependence on bananas and pineapples and gives Dole more ways to participate in demand for fresh, health-oriented foods. The company is supporting these categories with farming investments in Latin America and spending on blueberry and avocado packing equipment in Europe. Such investments improve handling, capacity and efficiency around perishable products, helping Dole strengthen execution across categories while preserving the freshness and availability that underpin its consumer proposition.
This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company is pairing its fresh-produce portfolio with investments designed to strengthen sourcing and distribution over time. The company completed a bolt-on acquisition in its Irish growing operations to expand sourcing capabilities and its supply base, while the acquisition of Greenfood Fresh Produce in Scandinavia added a distribution facility in Helsingborg. Management plans to use that platform for automation, robotics and artificial-intelligence investments, aiming to improve efficiency and service for customers. Dole has also been upgrading ripening facilities across Ireland, France and Spain. Together, these initiatives reinforce the infrastructure behind its fresh-food offering and support growth in core markets. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
United Natural Foods is strengthening its position in natural and organic food as shoppers look for healthier, differentiated products and retailers use those choices to stand apart from mass and discount competitors. Management said natural and organic grocers, smaller chains and independents form part of UNFI’s roughly $90 billion target market. This demand is showing up in results: underlying sales in the Natural Products segment outperformed the broader market in the fourth quarter, supported by shopper interest in natural, organic, fresh and specialty products. For fiscal 2026, management said Natural Products sales grew about 7%, while EBITDA increased 19%. UNFI expects natural, organic and specialty products to continue growing faster than both the broader market and its overall portfolio.
Product innovation is another part of UNFI’s natural and organic strategy. During fiscal 2026, the company introduced more than 130 new private-brand SKUs, including a variety of health-forward products designed to help retail customers differentiate their assortments and respond to changing shopper preferences. UNFI also refreshed one of its core seafood brands in the fourth quarter, emphasizing a combination of quality and value. Beyond product launches, the company is expanding merchandising and supplier-support programs that help retailers create distinctive product mixes. It has also added AI-enabled features to the UNFI Insights platform, giving suppliers better store-level performance information and supporting improved demand planning. Together, these initiatives can help natural and organic suppliers reach shoppers more effectively while strengthening retailer differentiation.
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is also investing in the supply-chain capabilities needed to support growth in natural and organic foods, where assortments often include more innovation and slower-moving SKUs. UNFI completed the rollout of its AI-powered planning platform across all distribution centers to improve inventory management and fill rates, while Lean daily management reached 44 facilities. It also consolidated operations from Racine, WI, into an expanded Joliet, IL, distribution center with full-case automation. Management views availability as a major opportunity in natural products and is using technology to understand demand, promotions and ordering patterns more accurately.
Sprouts Farmers has built its business around making natural, organic and better-for-you products accessible to a broader consumer base, positioning itself as a differentiated retailer in the healthy grocery space. Fresh produce remains at the center of its merchandising strategy, complemented by a growing assortment of organic, plant-based and gluten-free products designed to meet evolving consumer preferences. During the second quarter of 2026, management emphasized that its attribute-based assortment continued to resonate with shoppers despite a cautious spending environment. Organic products now account for more than 30% of total sales, while organic penetration exceeds 50% in the dairy and produce categories, highlighting the strength of the company’s natural and organic positioning. The Sprouts private-label brand also continued to outperform the broader business, contributing 26% of quarterly sales and reinforcing customer loyalty through differentiated, health-focused offerings.
Sprouts is sustaining its leadership in natural foods through continuous product innovation and exclusive brand partnerships. The company introduced approximately 1,300 new products during the second quarter, prioritizing attributes that resonate with wellness-focused consumers, including organic, seed oil-free, fiber-rich, gut-health and protein-oriented offerings. Exclusive products such as Pasturebird chicken, now available nationwide across Sprouts stores, alongside emerging brands like Better Than Pop and Soup Salt Shots, strengthen the retailer’s differentiated assortment. Management is also expanding healthy meal solutions through fresh deli offerings, $9.99 wellness bowls, affordable family meals and innovative Sprouts-branded products, including seed oil-free frozen potatoes and fresh organic sourdough bread. These initiatives are intended to combine affordability with product innovation, helping consumers maintain healthier eating habits without compromising value.
Beyond merchandising, this Zacks Rank #3 company is investing in capabilities that strengthen its natural and organic ecosystem over the long term. The company continues to expand its loyalty and personalization platform, using first-party customer data to tailor promotions, improve product discovery and enhance marketing effectiveness. Supply-chain investments are also supporting its natural food strategy, with the Northern California distribution center now operational and nearly 85% of stores receiving fresh meat through Sprouts-operated distribution centers, improving freshness, service levels and cost efficiency. Management is extending self-distribution beyond produce and meat to selected Sprouts-brand products. Its aggressive store expansion program will broaden access to its natural and organic assortment. Together, these initiatives position Sprouts to deepen customer engagement, improve execution and support sustainable growth in the health-focused grocery market.
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (Nasdaq: SFM) today announced a planned leadership transition, effective January 4, 2027, whereby Nick Konat, current president and chief operating officer, will take on the role of chief executive officer and join the board of directors. Jack Sinclair, who has served as CEO since 2019, will transition to the role of executive chairman.
Sinclair said, “The Board and I have spent significant time and consideration developing our succession plan, and we believe that now is the right time to transition Sprouts to its next generation of leadership. Following the Board’s comprehensive search process, we determined that Nick was the right leader for Sprouts. I’ve worked closely with Nick since he joined Sprouts in 2022 and seen firsthand his talent, drive and strong dedication to our people. He played a central role in shaping and executing our strategy, and I have tremendous confidence in his ability to lead the company to new heights. I want to thank all our team members for their deep commitment to Sprouts and their support for each other, our customers, our communities and our shareholders. I will be supporting Nick during the transition period, and it will be a privilege for me to continue serving Sprouts as its executive chairman.”
“Jack has guided the company through a significant phase of transformation and value creation. We are extremely grateful for his leadership,” said Joe Fortunato, chairman of the board of Sprouts. “I am proud of the work that our Board has put into our succession planning. The Board believes that Nick’s experience, along with his deep knowledge of our business and Sprouts’ unique culture and market position, make him the ideal leader for the next phase of the company’s journey. We are also pleased that Jack will continue serving as a trusted partner to him. This transition enables Jack’s ongoing involvement while allowing Nick’s significant depth and breadth of experience to shine even brighter.”
“It will be an honor to serve as the next CEO of Sprouts at this exciting and important time for our company,” said Konat. “We remain focused on executing our growth strategy, expanding into new markets and strengthening our connection with customers as we navigate an evolving consumer environment. I am grateful to Jack and our Board for their leadership, support, and confidence in me. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Jack to ensure a seamless transition. Since I joined Sprouts, our dedicated team and our purpose—to help people live and eat better—have inspired me every day. Looking ahead, I am confident in the opportunities before us and in our ability to build on our momentum and create long-term value for our shareholders.”
As part of this leadership transition, Joe Fortunato will serve as lead independent director beginning January 4, 2027, the first day of Sprouts’ 2027 fiscal year.
About Nick Konat
Konat joined Sprouts in March 2022 as president and chief operating officer where he has overseen the company’s operations, marketing, merchandising, supply chain, and innovation functions. Konat previously served at Petco Health and Wellness Company for over six years, culminating as chief merchandising officer. Prior to joining Petco, Konat served over nine years at Target Corporation, where he held a range of merchandising, planning, and leadership roles across the food and fashion categories. Konat also spent six years with Accenture plc, a multinational professional services company. Konat holds an honors bachelor’s degree in political science and government from St. John’s University.
About Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.
Sprouts Farmers Market is one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States. Sprouts helps people live and eat better with fresh produce at the heart of the store and delicious discoveries for every dietary lifestyle. Always foraging for what’s fresh and innovative, Sprouts offers a carefully curated assortment of products that inspire wellness naturally, including organic, gluten-free, plant-based and non-GMO favorites. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, Sprouts employs approximately 36,000 team members and operates more than 480 stores in 25 states nationwide. To learn more about Sprouts and the role it plays in its communities, visit sprouts.com/about/.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact (including those using “believes,” “will,” “look forward,” or “am confident” or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions) should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the company’s outlook, growth, opportunities and long-term strategy. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations as of the date of this release. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks related to the upcoming CEO transition; the company’s ability to execute on its long-term strategy; the company’s ability to successfully compete in its competitive industry; the company’s ability to successfully open new stores; the company’s ability to manage its growth; the company’s ability to maintain or improve its operating margins; the company’s ability to identify and react to trends in consumer preferences in a timely manner; product supply disruptions; equipment supply disruptions; general economic conditions that impact consumer spending or result in competitive responses; accounting standard changes; potential inflationary and/or deflationary trends; tariffs; and other factors as set forth from time to time in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, without limitation, the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The company intends these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this release and does not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available, except as required by law.
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 6.7% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Sprouts Farmers due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.
Sprouts Farmers Q2 Earnings Beat Despite Soft Comparable-Store SalesSprouts Farmers Market, Inc. reported second-quarter 2026 results, wherein the top line marginally missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while the bottom line beat the mark. The company continued to benefit from solid new-store productivity, strength in its Sprouts brand and double-digit e-commerce growth despite a cautious consumer environment and difficult year-over-year comparisons.
SFM’s Sales Mix Gains From Digital Strength and New StoresSprouts Farmers reported quarterly earnings of $1.37 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.35. The bottom line increased from $1.35 in the year-ago quarter. Net sales of this Phoenix, AZ-based natural and organic grocery retailer rose 4.7% year over year to $2,325.8 million. However, the figure marginally missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,329 million. Sales growth was driven by stellar new-store performance, partially offset by lower comparable-store sales.
Comparable-store sales declined 1% during the quarter, reflecting a cautious consumer backdrop and difficult prior-year comparisons. Management noted that comparable sales improved sequentially through May before softening in June due to exceptionally strong produce comparisons from last year. Business trends improved in July, with easier comparisons expected through the remainder of the year. E-commerce sales increased more than 12% and accounted for approximately 16% of total quarterly sales, underscoring continued strength in the company's omnichannel business. Sprouts brand continued to outperform the broader business and accounted for 26% of total sales.
The company continued to strengthen its differentiated merchandising strategy through innovation and foraging initiatives. During the quarter, Sprouts introduced approximately 1,300 new products, focusing on organic, seed-oil-free, fiber-rich, gut-health and protein-oriented offerings. Organic products now account for more than 30% of total sales, including more than half of dairy and produce sales. Management also highlighted growing traction in loyalty, personalization and first-party customer data capabilities to support long-term customer engagement.
Taking a Sneak Peek Into SFM’s MarginsGross profit increased to $900.6 million from $862.6 million in the year-ago quarter. However, the gross margin contracted 12 basis points to 38.7%, primarily due to loyalty program investments and elevated fuel costs, partially offset by benefits from self-distribution initiatives and vendor participation to support customer value. We had expected gross margin contraction of 30 basis points. Operating income came in at $174.2 million, down from $179.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Operating margin contracted 60 basis points to 7.5% from 8.1% in the prior-year period. We had expected operating margin to shrink 80 basis points.
SG&A expenses increased 5.8% year over year to $682.6 million. As a percentage of net sales, the metric deleveraged 30 basis points to 29.3%, primarily due to fixed-cost deleverage from soft comparable-store sales and continued business investments. Cost controls and lower incentive compensation provided a partial offset. We had expected SG&A expenses to deleverage 20 basis points
Sprouts Farmers’ Store UpdateSprouts Farmers opened seven new stores during the quarter, ending with 490 stores across 25 states. Management highlighted continued strong productivity from recently opened stores and noted a robust development pipeline, including more than 110 executed leases and 155 approved new stores, providing confidence in long-term expansion. The company also continued advancing its supply-chain transformation. Its Northern California distribution center became operational during the quarter, while nearly 85% of stores are now supplied with fresh meat through Sprouts distribution centers. Management believes these initiatives will improve freshness, service levels, shrink and long-term profitability while supporting affordability efforts.
A Look at SFM’s Financial PositionSprouts Farmers continued to generate healthy cash flows to support growth investments and shareholder returns. For the 26 weeks ended June 28, operating cash flow totaled $369 million, funding $186 million of capital expenditures (net of landlord reimbursements). The company repurchased 2.8 million shares for $210 million during the first six months of 2026 and had $626 million remaining under its existing $1 billion share repurchase authorization. Sprouts Farmers ended the quarter with $224 million in cash and cash equivalents and no borrowings outstanding under its $600 million revolving credit facility.
SFM Updates 2026 ViewFor the third quarter of 2026, management expects comparable-store sales in the range of down 0.5% to up 1.5%, with earnings per share between $1.20 and $1.24. Management also anticipates approximately 50 basis points of EBIT margin pressure, reflecting fixed-cost deleverage from softer comparable sales and the impact of a higher number of new-store openings compared with the year-ago quarter.
On a 52-week basis, management expects net sales growth of 5.5% to 6.5%, comparable-store sales between down 0.5% and up 0.5%, EBIT in the range of $675-$685 million, capital expenditures (net of landlord reimbursements) of approximately $310 million and 42 net new stores in 2026. Earnings per share are projected between $5.32 and $5.40, assuming at least $300 million in share repurchases. Management reiterated that fiscal 2026 will be a 53-week year, with the additional week expected to contribute approximately $200 million in sales, $28 million in EBIT and 21 cents to earnings per share.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates.
VGM ScoresCurrently, Sprouts Farmers has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock has a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Interestingly, Sprouts Farmers has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 108,818 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,204,000. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC owned 0.12% of Sprouts Farmers Market as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. TD Private Client Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Sprouts Farmers Market by 1,309.1% during the fourth quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 310 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc bought a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 72.7% during the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 380 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares in the last quarter.
Sprouts Farmers Market Stock Up 0.5% SFM stock opened at $81.46 on Friday. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a twelve month low of $64.75 and a twelve month high of $141.78. The company has a market cap of $7.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.61, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $81.82 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $79.55.
Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.02. Sprouts Farmers Market had a return on equity of 34.84% and a net margin of 5.58%.The company had revenue of $2.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.32 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.35 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Sprouts Farmers Market has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.200-1.240 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.320-5.400 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 5.55 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Sprouts Farmers Market In related news, Director Joseph D. O’leary sold 2,597 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.57, for a total transaction of $214,434.29. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 14,710 shares in the company, valued at $1,214,604.70. This represents a 15.01% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, COO Nicholas Konat sold 12,538 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.90, for a total transaction of $1,102,090.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 66,119 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,811,860.10. The trade was a 15.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 58,289 shares of company stock valued at $4,991,405. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently issued reports on SFM shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $114.00 target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their price target for the company from $80.00 to $103.00 in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Roth Capital set a $82.00 price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Friday, July 31st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $91.58.
Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Sprouts Farmers Market
(Free Report)
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts’ product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.
Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.
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Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 1,552,500 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $131,310,000. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC owned 1.66% of Sprouts Farmers Market as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. TD Private Client Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 1,309.1% in the 4th quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 310 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 288 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in Sprouts Farmers Market during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in Sprouts Farmers Market in the second quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 72.7% in the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 380 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the last quarter.
Sprouts Farmers Market Price Performance Shares of SFM stock opened at $81.08 on Monday. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a 1-year low of $64.75 and a 1-year high of $149.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The company has a market cap of $7.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.68. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $81.59 and its 200 day moving average price is $79.06.
Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.02. Sprouts Farmers Market had a return on equity of 34.84% and a net margin of 5.58%.The firm had revenue of $2.33 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.32 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.35 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sprouts Farmers Market has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.200-1.240 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.320-5.400 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 5.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Roth Capital set a $82.00 target price on Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Friday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $80.00 to $103.00 in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “hold” rating and issued a $84.00 price target on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on Sprouts Farmers Market from $80.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Sprouts Farmers Market has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $91.58.
Get Our Latest Report on Sprouts Farmers Market
Insider Transactions at Sprouts Farmers Market In other Sprouts Farmers Market news, Director Joseph D. O’leary sold 2,597 shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock in a transaction on Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.57, for a total value of $214,434.29. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 14,710 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,214,604.70. The trade was a 15.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, COO Nicholas Konat sold 12,538 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.90, for a total value of $1,102,090.20. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 66,119 shares in the company, valued at $5,811,860.10. This trade represents a 15.94% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 58,289 shares of company stock valued at $4,991,405 in the last 90 days. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Sprouts Farmers Market Company Profile (Free Report)
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts’ product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.
Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.
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Bank of Nova Scotia acquired a new stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 216,283 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,293,000. Bank of Nova Scotia owned approximately 0.23% of Sprouts Farmers Market at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new position in Sprouts Farmers Market during the second quarter worth about $29,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC increased its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market by 1,309.1% in the 4th quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 310 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 288 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc bought a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 72.7% in the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 380 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the last quarter.
Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on SFM shares. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Monday, July 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “hold” rating and issued a $84.00 price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Sprouts Farmers Market from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their price objective for the company from $80.00 to $103.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $114.00 target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Finally, Roth Capital set a $82.00 target price on Sprouts Farmers Market in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $91.58.
View Our Latest Analysis on SFM Sprouts Farmers Market Stock Performance Shares of SFM stock opened at $81.08 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $81.59 and a 200-day moving average of $79.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a 12-month low of $64.75 and a 12-month high of $149.66. The firm has a market cap of $7.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.53, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.68.
Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.02. Sprouts Farmers Market had a net margin of 5.58% and a return on equity of 34.84%. The company had revenue of $2.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.32 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.35 EPS. Sprouts Farmers Market’s revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sprouts Farmers Market has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.200-1.240 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.320-5.400 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 5.55 earnings per share for the current year.
Insider Activity In other news, COO Nicholas Konat sold 12,538 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.90, for a total transaction of $1,102,090.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 66,119 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,811,860.10. This represents a 15.94% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jack Sinclair sold 10,790 shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.04, for a total value of $885,211.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 269,980 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $22,149,159.20. This trade represents a 3.84% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 58,289 shares of company stock valued at $4,991,405 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.
(Free Report)
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts’ product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.
Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.
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On August 21, 2026, Sprouts Farmers Market Inc
SFM +3.48% 87
shares rose 3.5% today, bringing the current price to $81.08. The stock has seen a 52-week range between $64.75 and $150.20, indicating significant volatility over the past year.
GF Value™ verdict: Current price of $81.08 is 16.0% below the GF Value™ estimate of $96.57. GF Score™ of 87/100, reflecting a strong overall performance across various metrics. Notable signal: Insider activity shows $0.4M in buying versus $23.3M in selling over the past 12 months, indicating a net selling of $22.8M. Is SFM Overvalued or Undervalued? Sprouts Farmers Market Inc's current price of $81.08 is 16.0% below its GF Value™ estimate of $96.57, suggesting that the stock is undervalued. The GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary intrinsic-value estimate derived from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates, which provides a benchmark for assessing the stock's current market price. This creates a margin of safety for potential investors, as there is room for price appreciation towards its estimated fair value.
The GF Valuation label classifies SFM as modestly undervalued, indicating that there may be opportunities for growth. However, potential investors should be cautious of the stock's recent performance, particularly a 45.4% decline over the past year, which raises questions about the company's operational stability and market confidence.
How Does SFM's Valuation Compare to Its History? Metric Current Historical P/E (TTM) 15.5x 15.9x (5-Year Median) Forward P/E 14.6x - Currently, SFM's P/E ratio of 15.5x is slightly below its 5-year median P/E of 15.9x, supporting the notion that the stock is trading at a more attractive valuation compared to its historical performance. This analysis aligns with the GF Value™ verdict, reinforcing the view that SFM may be undervalued at present.
What Does SFM's GF Score™ Tell Us? The GF Score™ measures a company's financial strength, profitability, growth potential, valuation, and momentum, providing a comprehensive overview of its quality as an investment. SFM's GF Score™ of 87/100 indicates a strong overall standing, with the highest ranks in profitability and growth.
Metric Rating GF Score™ 87/100 Financial Strength 7/10 Profitability 9/10 Growth 10/10 Valuation 8/10 Momentum 2/10 The strong profitability rank of 9/10 and an exceptional growth rank of 10/10 underscore SFM's capability to generate earnings and expand effectively. However, the low momentum rank of 2/10 raises concern about the stock's short-term price stability and market perception, suggesting that while the fundamentals may be strong, investor sentiment might be currently unfavorable.
What Are Gurus and Insiders Doing with SFM? Currently, 10 gurus hold shares of SFM, with 6 increasing their positions and 4 trimming their holdings in recent quarters. This indicates a generally positive sentiment among experienced investors, with many seeing value in the stock at its current level. However, the insider activity presents a contrasting narrative, as over the past 12 months, insiders have purchased $0.4M worth of shares but sold $23.3M, leading to a net selling of $22.8M. This pattern may suggest a lack of confidence from insiders in the short-term growth prospects of the company.
What This Means for Investors Given the current valuation metrics and the GF Value™ analysis, Sprouts Farmers Market Inc
SFM +3.48% 87
appears to be undervalued with potential for price appreciation. Despite the concerning insider selling, the strong GF Score™ and the modestly undervalued status present an opportunity to consider the stock, keeping in mind the volatility and recent performance issues. For more detailed insights, visit the Sprouts Farmers Market Inc (SFM) stock page.
Frequently Asked Questions What is SFM's GF Score™?
SFM has a GF Score™ of 87/100, indicating a strong overall performance based on various financial metrics.
Is SFM overvalued or undervalued?
According to the GF Value™, SFM is currently undervalued, with a significant margin of safety at 16.0% below its estimated fair value.
What is SFM's P/E ratio?
SFM's P/E (TTM) is 15.5x, which is slightly below its 5-year median of 15.9x, suggesting that the stock is trading at an attractive valuation compared to its historical levels.
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].
Joseph D. O'Leary, a Director at Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM -2.18%), sold 2,597 shares of common stock on Aug. 14, 2026. SEC Form 4 filing
Transaction summaryMetricValueTransaction value$214,434Shares sold2,597Post-transaction shares (directly held)14,710Post-transaction value$1.2 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($82.57); post-transaction value based on Aug. 14, 2026, market close ($82.50).
Key questionsWhat was the structural nature of this disposition?
The transaction was executed as a direct open-market sale of 2,597 shares, representing a partial reduction of the insider's equity position rather than a complete exit.How does the current valuation compare to the transaction price?
The shares were sold at $82.57, marginally higher than the $82.50 market close on the Aug. 14, 2026, transaction date.What is the composition of the remaining equity stake?
Following this sale, the insider's direct ownership of 14,710 shares includes 2,313 restricted stock units that are scheduled to vest in March 2027, provided service continues through that date.What is the broader context of insider ownership at the firm?
This sale reduced the Director's individual holdings but has a minimal impact on the aggregate insider ownership percentage, which is currently calculated at 0.0158%.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-14)$82.50Market Capitalization$7.7 billionRevenue (TTM)$9.0 billionNet Income (TTM)$502.9 millionCompany SnapshotSprouts Farmers Market operates a comprehensive retail platform offering fresh, natural, and organic food products, including fresh produce, meats, seafood, deli items, baked goods, dairy products, plant-based alternatives, vitamins, and shelf-stable groceries, generating revenue across both perishable and non-perishable categories.The company operates a grocery retail business model that generates revenue through the direct sale of fresh and packaged food products to consumers across its store network, leveraging its focus on natural and organic offerings to differentiate from traditional grocery competitors.Sprouts serves health-conscious consumers and families seeking natural, organic, and specialty food products, positioning itself as a destination retailer for customers prioritizing wellness-oriented grocery shopping.Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. operates as a U.S.-based grocery retailer with approximately 36,000 employees and a market capitalization of $7.7 billion. The company generated $9.0 billion in revenue on a TTM basis with net income of $502.9 million, demonstrating operational scale within the specialty grocery segment. Sprouts differentiates itself through its curated selection of fresh, natural, and organic products, serving as a specialized retailer within the broader consumer defensive sector.
What this transaction means for investorsInvestors shouldn't really sweat this sale, in my opinion, as it just looks like pretty general "housekeeping," so to speak, for an insider. Despite the sale, O'Leary retains the vast majority of their stake, so it shouldn't be viewed as them bailing on SFM stock. Furthermore, directors have less insight into a stock's day-to-day operations, so investors should not see this as the business failing in some way.
In fact, with Sprouts Farmers Market down 45% over the last year, I think the company remains a great long-term buy and have made it a core position in my portfolio. While same-store sales (SSS) dipped 1% last quarter as the company lapped double-digit SSS growth last year, Sprouts plans to grow its store count by 10% annually over the long term as it expands beyond mostly southern and western states. Today's SSS decline should prove cyclical due to a challenging macroeconomic environment, and Sprouts' leadership in healthier, attribute-focused foods (non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, etc.) should remain a popular option amid rising GLP-1 usage.
Trading at just 15 times earnings, I am more than happy to continue accumulating shares of SFM stock. That said, as Sprouts expands further north, investors will want to ensure its supply chain remains robust, as colder weather could make it more difficult to source local food items.
Josh Kohn-Lindquist has positions in Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $75 calls on Sprouts Farmers Market and short January 2028 $85 calls on Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Empowered Funds LLC grew its stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFM) by 12,554.0% during the undefined quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 108,951 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 108,090 shares during
Key Takeaways SFM shares gained 12.2% in a month as investors weigh growth drivers against soft comps and margin pressure.Sprouts' Q2 net sales rose 5% to $2.33 billion, while comparable-store sales declined 1%.SFM's Q2 gross margin fell 12 basis points to 38.7%, with Q3 EBIT margin seen down about 50 basis points.
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM - Free Report) shares have gained 12.2% in the past month, putting the durability of the rebound in focus. The move comes while the specialty grocer balances healthy expansion drivers with weak comparable-store sales and margin pressure.
The next phase depends less on the stock’s recent momentum and more on whether easier comparisons, customer-engagement initiatives and new-store productivity can improve established-store trends without creating additional profitability strain.
SFM’s 12.2% Monthly Gain Raises the BarSFM’s four-week gain follows a much weaker longer-term performance profile, so the advance should not be treated as proof that operating conditions have already turned. Second-quarter results still showed pressure in the existing store base.
Management expects comparisons to become more manageable as 2026 progresses. Investors will need evidence that better traffic and basket trends can accompany unit expansion before the recent price move looks fully supported by fundamentals.
Sprouts Growth Drivers Support the MoveNew stores continue to perform well, while e-commerce sales increased more than 12% year over year in the second quarter and represented about 16% of sales. Sprouts brand products also outperformed the broader business and reached 26% of total sales.
The company launched about 1,300 products during the quarter, emphasizing organic, seed oil-free, fiber, gut health and protein offerings. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NGVC - Free Report) , another specialty natural and organic retailer, underscores the competitive importance of differentiated wellness assortments.
The Kroger Co. (KR - Free Report) also competes for grocery spending through stores, e-commerce and loyalty-driven personalization. That broader competitive backdrop raises the value of Sprouts’ discovery-focused assortment and first-party customer data.
SFM’s Soft Comps Challenge the RallyComparable-store sales fell 1% in the second quarter after declining 1.7% in the first quarter. Net sales still rose 5% to $2.33 billion, showing that unit expansion is carrying more of the company’s top-line growth.
The outlook points to gradual improvement rather than a sharp rebound. Comparable-store sales are expected in the range of down 0.5% to up 1.5% for the third quarter and between down 0.5% and up 0.5% for 2026, making traffic and basket recovery an important test.
Sprouts Margins Face a Near-Term TestSecond-quarter gross margin declined 12 basis points to 38.7%, reflecting loyalty investment and elevated fuel costs, partly offset by self-distribution and vendor participation. EBIT margin fell to 7.5% from 8.1% a year earlier.
Third-quarter EBIT margin is expected to decline about 50 basis points. Lower comparable sales are reducing fixed-cost leverage, while a heavier new-store opening cadence and higher depreciation add near-term pressure.
SFM’s Valuation Leaves Room for DebateSFM trades at 14.49X forward 12-month earnings, below the Zacks sub-industry’s 15.7X multiple. The stock’s current valuation is also close to its five-year median of 14.44X.
That positioning suggests the past month’s rebound has not pushed the shares far beyond their historical valuation norm. Further upside may require firmer comparable-store sales and evidence that margin pressure is becoming more manageable.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SFM’s Rank and Style Scores Temper the SetupThe bottom line is mixed. Sprouts has visible growth drivers in new stores, digital sales, private label and product innovation, but weak comps and near-term margin pressure leave execution as the key variable after the stock’s 12.2% advance.
SFM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), supporting a measured stance. It has a VGM Score of A, along with a Value Score of B, Growth Score of B and Momentum Score of B, reflecting favorable style characteristics without overriding the neutral near-term Rank signal. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Takeaways SFM's Q2 EPS beat estimates as sales rose, but comparable-store sales declined 1%.SFM opened seven stores in Q2 and plans 42 net new stores in fiscal 2026.SFM's margin fell as loyalty investments and fuel costs pressured profitability.
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM - Free Report) delivered a mixed second quarter as new-store productivity supported sales growth while comparable-store sales remained soft. Earnings per share came in above the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but the underlying demand picture was less favorable.
That split makes the second half especially important. Sprouts is accelerating openings and continuing loyalty, affordability and supply-chain investments while management expects near-term margin pressure to persist.
SFM’s Q2 Results Were MixedSecond-quarter earnings were $1.37 per share, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.35. Net sales increased 4.7% year over year to about $2.33 billion but produced a 0.1% negative sales surprise.
Comparable-store sales declined 1%, following a 1.7% decrease in the first quarter. The combination points to new units as the larger contributor to top-line growth while demand at established stores remains under pressure.
Sprouts New Stores Keep Delivering GrowthSprouts opened seven stores during the quarter and ended June with 490 locations across 25 states. Management plans 42 net new stores in fiscal 2026, including 43 openings and one closure.
The development pipeline includes more than 110 executed leases and 155 approved stores. Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST - Free Report) reported a 10.7% increase in July net sales, showing that large-format food retail demand remained healthy in parts of the market. BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (BJ - Free Report) is also investing in club growth and member value, providing another expansion-focused peer for comparison.
SFM’s Margin Pressure Is the Key ConsequenceGross margin declined 12 basis points to 38.7% as loyalty investments and elevated fuel costs outweighed part of the benefits from self-distribution and vendor participation. Operating margin contracted 60 basis points to 7.5%.
Selling, general and administrative expenses rose 5.8% to $682.6 million and deleveraged 30 basis points. Lower comparable sales reduced fixed-cost absorption as Sprouts continued investing in the business.
Sprouts Guidance Sets a Tough Q3 TestFor the third quarter, management expects comparable-store sales between down 0.5% and up 1.5%, with earnings of $1.20-$1.24 per share. EBIT margin is expected to decline about 50 basis points.
The pressure reflects fixed-cost deleverage from softer comps and a heavier opening schedule. Sprouts expects at least 15 new stores in the third quarter, making traffic improvement and expense absorption key measures of operating progress.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SFM’s Cash Flow Supports Continued InvestmentOperating cash flow totaled $369 million in the first half of 2026. Sprouts invested $186 million in capital expenditures, net of landlord reimbursements, and repurchased 2.8 million shares for $210 million.
The company ended the quarter with $224 million in cash and cash equivalents and no borrowings under its $600 million revolving credit facility. That liquidity supports new stores, supply-chain projects, loyalty initiatives and shareholder returns.
SFM’s Rank and Scores Reflect the Mixed QuarterThe near-term setup remains balanced. Store expansion, differentiated merchandising and cash generation provide support, but negative comps and ongoing margin pressure leave execution risk elevated as Sprouts moves through the second half.
SFM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). It also has a VGM Score of A, Value Score of B, Growth Score of B and Momentum Score of B. The favorable Style Scores indicate solid characteristics across those investing styles, while the Zacks Rank suggests a more neutral near-term earnings-revision backdrop. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Takeaways SFM balances reasonable valuation and growth engines with softer comparable sales weighing on the outlook.Sprouts brand reached 26% of Q2 sales, while e-commerce sales rose over 12% year over year.SFM plans 42 net new stores in fiscal 2026, supported by a pipeline of executed leases and approved locations.
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM - Free Report) offers investors a balanced setup. Its valuation sits near historical norms, while differentiated products, digital growth and store expansion support the longer-term case.
The trade-off is weaker established-store momentum. Comparable sales remain soft and near-term margin pressure limits the case for an aggressive entry despite several durable growth levers.
SFM’s Valuation Looks Reasonable, Not CheapSFM trades at 14.49X forward 12-month earnings, below the Zacks sub-industry’s 15.7X multiple. That discount provides some support after the stock’s recent weakness.
Still, the multiple is almost identical to SFM’s five-year median of 14.44X. The valuation therefore looks reasonable rather than deeply discounted, making operating improvement more important for further upside.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Sprouts Still Has Multiple Growth EnginesSprouts brand represented 26% of second-quarter sales, while organic products accounted for more than 30%. E-commerce sales rose more than 12% year over year and represented about 16% of quarterly sales.
The company is also using loyalty data and personalization to deepen engagement. For context, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NGVC - Free Report) also focuses on natural and organic groceries, while Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (GO - Free Report) competes through an extreme-value model. Sprouts’ mix of wellness innovation, private label and digital access gives it several demand levers beyond price.
SFM’s Comparable Sales Remain the Main ConcernSecond-quarter comparable-store sales declined 1%, following a 1.7% drop in the first quarter. First-half comps fell 1.4%, versus 10.9% growth in the year-ago period, showing a sharp slowdown in established-store productivity.
Management expects full-year comparable-store sales to range from down 0.5% to up 0.5% on a 52-week basis. That outlook leaves limited room for a stronger near-term demand rebound if customer traffic and basket units recover slowly.
Sprouts Expansion Can Offset Some Core WeaknessSprouts plans 42 net new stores in fiscal 2026, including 43 openings and one closure. Its pipeline includes more than 110 executed leases and 155 approved locations, supporting its long-term goal of roughly 10% annual unit growth.
New stores continue to perform well, helping offset softer comps. The balance sheet also provides flexibility, with $224 million in cash and no balance on the $600 million revolving credit facility at quarter-end.
SFM’s Margin Outlook Argues for PatienceSecond-quarter gross margin declined 12 basis points to 38.7%, reflecting loyalty investment and elevated fuel costs, partly offset by self-distribution benefits. Selling, general and administrative expenses deleveraged 30 basis points as lower comps pressured fixed-cost absorption.
Third-quarter EBIT margin is expected to decline about 50 basis points because of fixed-cost deleverage and a heavier store-opening cadence. Improving comps and supply-chain efficiencies could help, but the near-term margin profile supports a more selective stance.
SFM’s Rank and Scores Support a Hold CaseThe bottom line is that SFM’s valuation and growth initiatives offer support, but softer comps and uneven margins keep the near-term risk-reward balanced. Investors may want clearer evidence of established-store improvement before treating the current multiple as a buying signal.
SFM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). It also has a VGM Score of A, Value Score of B, Growth Score of B and Momentum Score of B. The favorable Style Scores are constructive, but they are designed to complement the Zacks Rank. With the Rank at #3, the combined signals fit a hold or wait-and-see posture better than an aggressive buy case. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Assenagon Asset Management S.A. reduced its position in Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM – Free Report) by 64.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 42,515 shares of the company’s stock after selling 77,192 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A.’s holdings in Sprouts Farmers Market were worth $3,596,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. MML Investors Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 20,287 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,340,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC grew its position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 1.0% in the second quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 13,486 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,044,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the period. Clearstead Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 72.7% in the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 380 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the period. Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 4,106 shares of the company’s stock valued at $327,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC increased its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market by 6.0% in the fourth quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 3,026 shares of the company’s stock valued at $241,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the last quarter.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have commented on SFM shares. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $84.00 price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $114.00 price target on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Sprouts Farmers Market from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $80.00 to $103.00 in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sprouts Farmers Market currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $91.58.
Check Out Our Latest Report on SFM
Insider Transactions at Sprouts Farmers Market In related news, COO Nicholas Konat sold 12,538 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.90, for a total transaction of $1,102,090.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 66,119 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,811,860.10. This represents a 15.94% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jack Sinclair sold 10,788 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.80, for a total transaction of $936,398.40. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 269,980 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,434,264. This trade represents a 3.84% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 55,692 shares of company stock valued at $4,776,971. Insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.
Sprouts Farmers Market Stock Performance Sprouts Farmers Market stock opened at $86.07 on Thursday. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a 52 week low of $64.75 and a 52 week high of $152.25. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The stock has a market cap of $8.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.68. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $82.23 and a 200-day moving average of $78.58.
Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.02. Sprouts Farmers Market had a net margin of 5.58% and a return on equity of 34.84%. The company had revenue of $2.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.32 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.35 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sprouts Farmers Market has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.200-1.240 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.320-5.400 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 5.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Sprouts Farmers Market Company Profile (Free Report)
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts’ product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.
Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.
Read More Five stocks we like better than Sprouts Farmers Market GE Vernova’s AI Power Boom Faces a Profit Test Cardinal Health Earnings: Can Perfection Get Priced In Twice? Nebius’ Q2 Beat Shows the AI Bottleneck Is Capacity, Not Demand Legacy Jet Builders Stall While Embraer Accelerates to New Highs Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SFM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM – Free Report).
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Sprouts Farmers Market is positioned for a rebound, with a "Buy" rating reiterated following strong Q2 results and an improved FY26 outlook. SFM's expansion strategy targets 1,000+ U.S. stores, with significant white space in the Midwest and East Coast, supporting long-term growth. Supply chain investments, robust store-brand product launches, and aggressive buybacks underpin margin expansion and shareholder returns.
Jack Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer of Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM +2.44%), sold 21,576 shares of common stock on August 3, 2026 and August 4, 2026. SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summaryMetricValueShares sold21,576Transaction value~$1.9 millionPost-transaction shares (directly held)~270,000Post-transaction value~$23.2 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($88.07); post-transaction value based on August 4, 2026 market close ($86.07).
Key questionsWhat was the mechanical nature of this disposal?
The transaction was a non-discretionary execution under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. It involved a cashless exercise where Sinclair converted 21,576 options at a strike price of $16.47 and immediately sold the resulting shares in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $85.70 to $90.56.How does this impact the CEO's overall equity alignment?
Sinclair retains substantial exposure to the company's performance, with a remaining direct position of ~270,000 shares as of the August 4, 2026 market close. This holdings base includes 231,284 shares of common stock and 38,696 restricted stock units, representing approximately 0.29% of the company's total shares outstanding.What is the status of the remaining equity compensation awards?
Beyond his direct common stock holdings, Sinclair continues to hold 75,516 direct derivative securities. Future vesting events for restricted stock units are scheduled annually through March 2029, providing continued long-term incentive alignment.What has been the recent share price context for this transaction?
At the August 4, 2026 market close, the stock was priced at $86.07, following a one-year total return of -44% as of the transaction date. The CEO's weighted average sale price of $88.07 was achieved across two trading sessions prior to the filing.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-04)$86.07Market Capitalization$8.0 billionRevenue (TTM)$9.0 billionNet Income (TTM)$502.9 millionCompany SnapshotSprouts Farmers Market operates a comprehensive retail platform offering fresh produce, meats, seafood, deli items, baked goods, dairy products, plant-based alternatives, vitamins, supplements, and shelf-stable groceries, generating revenue through both perishable and non-perishable product categories.The company operates a conventional grocery retail business model, generating revenue through direct consumer sales across its store network while maintaining operational efficiency through supply chain management and inventory optimization.Sprouts serves health-conscious and value-oriented consumers seeking natural, organic, and specialty food products, targeting households that prioritize nutritional quality and sustainable sourcing in their purchasing decisions.Sprouts Farmers Market is a significant player in the U.S. grocery retail sector with approximately 36,000 employees and a market capitalization of $8.0 billion. The company has established a competitive position through its specialized focus on natural and organic product offerings, differentiated from traditional grocery chains. With TTM revenue of $9.0 billion and net income of $502.9 million, Sprouts demonstrates operational scale and profitability within the consumer defensive sector.
What this transaction means for investorsSinclair’s sale of Sprouts shares looks like a move that should probably not concern investors.
He conducted a pre-planned sale under Rule 10b5-1, presumably to avoid the appearance of acting on inside information. Moreover, insiders often conduct options transactions because they are required, though it is unclear whether that is the case here.
Whatever the reason for the sale, investors should note that he only sold 7% of his holdings, implying that concerns about the company did not drive the sale.
Admittedly, the consumer staples stock fell over the last year, as inflation appeared to weigh on sales levels and margins. However, it had made gains of 264% over the previous five years, outperforming the S&P 500. Additionally, the stock trades at a relatively modest 16 times earnings, which implies that teh stock has become inexpensive.
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More recently, Sprouts stock has traded in a range since late last year. While it is unclear what could help bring some of its customers back, conditions are such that investors should probably follow Sinclair’s lead and hold their Sprouts shares.
Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $75 calls on Sprouts Farmers Market and short January 2028 $85 calls on Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Amundi grew its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM – Free Report) by 24.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 108,022 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 21,078 shares during the period. Amundi owned about 0.11% of Sprouts Farmers Market worth $8,332,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Focus Partners Wealth acquired a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in the 1st quarter valued at $400,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 77.7% during the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,509 shares of the company’s stock worth $578,000 after buying an additional 1,534 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market by 13.1% in the 2nd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 22,554 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,713,000 after buying an additional 2,609 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market by 12.0% in the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 22,882 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,767,000 after buying an additional 2,460 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in Sprouts Farmers Market by 64.0% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 11,513 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,896,000 after acquiring an additional 4,492 shares during the period.
Analysts Set New Price Targets SFM has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $80.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $114.00 target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Monday, June 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $80.00 to $103.00 in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “hold” rating and issued a $84.00 price target on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $91.58.
View Our Latest Stock Report on SFM
Insider Transactions at Sprouts Farmers Market In other news, COO Nicholas Konat sold 12,538 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.90, for a total value of $1,102,090.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 66,119 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,811,860.10. This represents a 15.94% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jack Sinclair sold 10,788 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.80, for a total transaction of $936,398.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 269,980 shares in the company, valued at $23,434,264. This represents a 3.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 55,692 shares of company stock valued at $4,776,971. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Sprouts Farmers Market Stock Down 1.1% Shares of NASDAQ:SFM opened at $85.12 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The stock has a market cap of $7.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.31, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a 50 day moving average of $81.78 and a 200-day moving average of $78.18. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a one year low of $64.75 and a one year high of $153.75.
Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.02. Sprouts Farmers Market had a return on equity of 34.84% and a net margin of 5.58%.The company had revenue of $2.33 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.35 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sprouts Farmers Market has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.200-1.240 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.320-5.400 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 5.55 earnings per share for the current year.
About Sprouts Farmers Market (Free Report)
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts’ product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.
Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.
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Shares of Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM +0.36%) climbed more than 16% this past week after the natural and organic grocery chain delivered healthier-than-expected financial results in its most recent quarter.
Image source: Getty Images.
New stores are fueling growth Sprouts' net sales grew 5% year over year to $2.3 billion in its fiscal second quarter, which ended on June 28.
The retailer opened 7 new stores during the quarter, bringing its total to 490 locations across 25 states.
However, Sprouts' comparable sales, which include revenue from stores open for at least 60 weeks, declined by 1%. Sprouts faced difficult comparisons to the prior-year quarter, when its competitors' supply chain disruptions drove additional traffic to its stores.
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Sprouts' gross margin also declined slightly to 38.7%, due in part to higher fuel costs.
All told, the company's earnings inched up 1% to $1.37 per share. That topped Wall Street's estimates, which had called for per-share profits of $1.34.
Sprouts also continues to crank out cash. Operating and free cash flow checked in at $369 million and $179 million, respectively, through the first half of 2026.
A long runway for further expansion Management expects same-store sales to turn positive in the third quarter. For the full year, the company expects net sales growth of 5.5% to 6.5%, with operating income of $675 million to $685 million and earnings per share of $5.32 to $5.40, driven by 42 net new store openings.
Looking even further ahead, Sprouts sees an opportunity to expand its store base to over 1,000 locations nationwide.
"Our pipeline remains robust with more than 110 executed leases and 155 approved new stores, giving us confidence in our ability to continue expanding access to Sprouts over the long term," chief financial officer Curtis Valentine said during a conference call with analysts.
Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $75 calls on Sprouts Farmers Market and short January 2028 $85 calls on Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Key Takeaways Sprouts Farmers posted Q2 EPS of $1.37, while net sales rose 4.7% to $2.33 billion.E-commerce sales grew more than 12%, while comparable-store sales declined 1%.Sprouts Farmers opened seven stores and projects 42 net new locations in 2026. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 results, wherein the top line marginally missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while the bottom line beat the mark. The company continued to benefit from solid new-store productivity, strength in its Sprouts brand and double-digit e-commerce growth despite a cautious consumer environment and difficult year-over-year comparisons.
SFM’s Sales Mix Gains From Digital Strength and New StoresSprouts Farmers reported quarterly earnings of $1.37 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.35. The bottom line increased from $1.35 in the year-ago quarter.
Net sales of this Phoenix, AZ-based natural and organic grocery retailer rose 4.7% year over year to $2,325.8 million. However, the figure marginally missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,329 million. Sales growth was driven by stellar new-store performance, partially offset by lower comparable-store sales.
Comparable-store sales declined 1% during the quarter, reflecting a cautious consumer backdrop and difficult prior-year comparisons. Management noted that comparable sales improved sequentially through May before softening in June due to exceptionally strong produce comparisons from last year. Business trends improved in July, with easier comparisons expected through the remainder of the year. We had expected comparable store sales to decline 0.9% during the quarter.
E-commerce sales increased more than 12% and accounted for approximately 16% of total quarterly sales, underscoring continued strength in the company's omnichannel business. Sprouts brand continued to outperform the broader business and accounted for 26% of total sales.
The company continued to strengthen its differentiated merchandising strategy through innovation and foraging initiatives. During the quarter, Sprouts introduced approximately 1,300 new products, focusing on organic, seed-oil-free, fiber-rich, gut-health and protein-oriented offerings. Organic products now account for more than 30% of total sales, including more than half of dairy and produce sales. Management also highlighted growing traction in loyalty, personalization and first-party customer data capabilities to support long-term customer engagement.
Taking a Sneak Peek Into SFM’s MarginsGross profit increased to $900.6 million from $862.6 million in the year-ago quarter. However, the gross margin contracted 12 basis points to 38.7%, primarily due to loyalty program investments and elevated fuel costs, partially offset by benefits from self-distribution initiatives and vendor participation to support customer value. We had expected gross margin contraction of 30 basis points.
Operating income came in at $174.2 million, down from $179.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Operating margin contracted 60 basis points to 7.5% from 8.1% in the prior-year period. We had expected operating margin to shrink 80 basis points.
SG&A expenses increased 5.8% year over year to $682.6 million. As a percentage of net sales, the metric deleveraged 30 basis points to 29.3%, primarily due to fixed-cost deleverage from soft comparable-store sales and continued business investments. Cost controls and lower incentive compensation provided a partial offset. We had expected SG&A expenses to deleverage 20 basis points.
Sprouts Farmers’ Store UpdateSprouts Farmers opened seven new stores during the quarter, ending with 490 stores across 25 states. Management highlighted continued strong productivity from recently opened stores and noted a robust development pipeline, including more than 110 executed leases and 155 approved new stores, providing confidence in long-term expansion.
The company also continued advancing its supply-chain transformation. Its Northern California distribution center became operational during the quarter, while nearly 85% of stores are now supplied with fresh meat through Sprouts distribution centers. Management believes these initiatives will improve freshness, service levels, shrink and long-term profitability while supporting affordability efforts.
A Look at SFM’s Financial PositionSprouts Farmers continued to generate healthy cash flows to support growth investments and shareholder returns. For the 26 weeks ended June 28, operating cash flow totaled $369 million, funding $186 million of capital expenditures (net of landlord reimbursements).
The company repurchased 2.8 million shares for $210 million during the first six months of 2026 and had $626 million remaining under its existing $1 billion share repurchase authorization. Sprouts Farmers ended the quarter with $224 million in cash and cash equivalents and no borrowings outstanding under its $600 million revolving credit facility.
SFM Updates 2026 ViewFor the third quarter of 2026, management expects comparable-store sales in the range of down 0.5% to up 1.5%, with earnings per share between $1.20 and $1.24. Management also anticipates approximately 50 basis points of EBIT margin pressure, reflecting fixed-cost deleverage from softer comparable sales and the impact of a higher number of new-store openings compared with the year-ago quarter.
On a 52-week basis, management expects net sales growth of 5.5% to 6.5%, comparable-store sales between down 0.5% and up 0.5%, EBIT in the range of $675-$685 million, capital expenditures (net of landlord reimbursements) of approximately $310 million and 42 net new stores in 2026. Earnings per share are projected between $5.32 and $5.40, assuming at least $300 million in share repurchases.
Management reiterated that fiscal 2026 will be a 53-week year, with the additional week expected to contribute approximately $200 million in sales, $28 million in EBIT and 21 cents to earnings per share.
Final Take on SFMSprouts Farmers delivered another resilient quarter, with earnings surpassing expectations despite softer comparable sales and a modest revenue miss. Strong new-store performance, continued momentum in e-commerce and private-label offerings, expanding innovation and ongoing supply-chain improvements reinforce the company's long-term growth strategy. Although consumer spending remains pressured and near-term margin headwinds persist, management remains confident that easing comparisons, targeted affordability initiatives and continued investment in loyalty, personalization and new-store expansion will support improving performance through the remainder of 2026.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have climbed 2.8% over the past three months compared with the industry’s rise of 17.3%.
Stocks Looking Red HotUnited Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) distributes natural, organic, specialty, produce and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada. At present, United Natural sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The consensus estimate for United Natural’s current fiscal-year EPS stands at $2.52, which implies substantial growth from the year-ago period earnings of 71 cents. UNFI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 29.9%, on average.
The Vita Coco Company, Inc. (COCO - Free Report) , a leading beverage company that develops, markets and distributes coconut water and other plant-based beverages currently holds a Zacks Rank #1. COCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.9%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Vita Coco Company’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 31.6% and 64.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
US Foods Holding Corp. (USFD - Free Report) engages in the marketing, sale and distribution of fresh, frozen and dry food and non-food products to foodservice customers in the United States. USFD currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). US Foods Holding delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.4%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for US Foods Holding’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 5.1% and 16.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (Nasdaq: SFM) today reported results for the 13-week second quarter ended June 28, 2026. “Our second-quarter results were in line with our expectations," said Jack Sinclair, chief executive officer of Sprouts Farmers Market. “As we continue to navigate a cautious consumer environment, we are encouraged by the strong performance of our new stores and the continued success of our foraging and innovation efforts. We are focused on driving deep.
Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.37 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.35 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.35 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +1.48%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this natural and organic food retailer would post earnings of $1.67 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.71, delivering a surprise of +2.4%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.
Sprouts Farmers, which belongs to the Zacks Food - Natural Foods Products industry, posted revenues of $2.33 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.12%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $2.22 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Sprouts Farmers shares have lost about 2.4% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.5%.
What's Next for Sprouts Farmers?While Sprouts Farmers has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Sprouts Farmers was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.28 on $2.34 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $5.55 on $9.5 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Food - Natural Foods Products is currently in the top 40% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, Performance Food Group (PFGC - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on August 12.
This food distributor is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.62 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +4.5%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.8% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.
Performance Food Group's revenues are expected to be $18.21 billion, up 7.5% from the year-ago quarter.
3 Stocks at 52-Week Lows With Way More Upside Than DownsideSprouts Farmers Market NASDAQ: SFM reported second-quarter 2026 results that management said were in line with its expectations, as strong new-store performance offset a decline in comparable-store sales amid a challenging consumer environment.
Total sales rose 5% year over year to $2.3 billion, driven by new store openings, while comparable-store sales declined 1%. Net income was $129 million, and diluted earnings per share increased 1% to $1.37. The company opened seven stores during the quarter, ending the period with 490 stores across 25 states.
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Why Wall Street Is Backing These 3 Comeback StocksChief Executive Officer Jack Sinclair said customers remain deliberate in their healthy-grocery spending and are managing their budgets carefully. He said Sprouts is responding by refining its value proposition, investing in affordability and personalization, expanding its differentiated assortment, and advancing supply-chain capabilities.
Sales trends and customer behavior Chief Financial Officer Curtis Valentine said comparable-sales trends improved sequentially through May before weakening in June, when Sprouts faced difficult prior-year comparisons related to strong produce performance and disruption in the natural and organic supply chain that had brought additional shoppers into its stores last year. July comparable sales were “slightly negative” but within the company’s guidance range, he said.
3 Reasons to Buy Sprouts Farmers Market Ahead of EarningsManagement said the business has seen modest improvement in both traffic and units per basket. However, Valentine said customers continue to manage the number of items they buy, particularly during periods of inflation or broader financial pressure. Produce has a larger effect on the company’s unit trends because it accounts for a significant share of the average basket.
Sprouts said it has seen an impact over the past two weeks from consumer concern related to Cyclospora, which management said has been concentrated in lettuces, salads, and related products. Valentine said the company had not experienced a product recall in its stores and described the effect on the business to date as small. The company has observed some customers shifting purchases from fresh products to frozen alternatives.
Management characterized the lower-engaged and lower-income shopper as its largest near-term opportunity. President and Chief Operating Officer Nick Konat said those customers have been taking trips less frequently and spreading out purchases, while the company’s core customer has remained relatively resilient.
Affordability, assortment and digital growth Sprouts said its first-half affordability tests produced mixed results. Sinclair said many actions increased unit movement, but broader traffic gains have developed more gradually than expected. The company plans to focus second-half investments on the items most important to customers and on targeted pricing and affordability actions intended to improve engagement.
Konat said the company’s affordability strategy includes meal solutions, Sprouts-brand products, pricing and promotions, and personalized loyalty offers. During the quarter, Sprouts highlighted fresh deli meals, a vitamin sale and $9.99 wellness bowls. Konat also cited new $29.99 family meals, fresh-made salads priced below $9, seed oil-free frozen potatoes, and a $4 fresh-baked organic sourdough bread offering.
The retailer introduced about 1,300 new items in the second quarter, including products positioned around organic, seed oil-free, fiber, gut-health and protein attributes. Organic products now account for more than 30% of total sales, including more than half of dairy and produce sales, according to Sinclair. Sprouts-brand products represented 26% of quarterly sales and outperformed the broader business.
E-commerce sales increased more than 12% and represented approximately 16% of total quarterly sales. Konat said the company’s e-commerce customers generally shop both online and in stores and are among its highest-value customers. The online basket and category mix are similar to the company’s brick-and-mortar business, with a significant contribution from fresh products and produce.
Margins, supply chain and store expansion Second-quarter gross margin declined 12 basis points year over year to 38.7%, reflecting loyalty investments and elevated fuel costs. Those pressures were partially offset by benefits from self-distribution and vendor participation supporting customer value. SG&A expense increased $38 million to $683 million and deleveraged by 30 basis points, largely due to fixed-cost deleverage from lower comparable sales and investments in the business.
For the third quarter, Sprouts expects approximately 50 basis points of EBIT margin pressure, citing lower comparable sales, fixed-cost deleverage and a higher number of new-store openings than in the prior-year period. Valentine said the company also expects fuel costs and a modest Cyclospora-related effect to pressure third-quarter gross margin.
The company’s Northern California distribution center is now operating, and nearly 85% of Sprouts stores are supplied with fresh meat through its distribution centers. Management said the shift provides greater control over freshness, service levels and shrink. Sprouts is also beginning to bring select Sprouts-brand products into its existing distribution network as it evaluates additional self-distribution opportunities.
New stores continue to perform strongly across both established and newer markets, management said. Sprouts has more than 110 executed leases and 155 approved new stores. It expects to open 42 net new stores in 2026, consisting of 43 openings and one closure of an underperforming location with an expiring lease. At least 15 openings are planned for the third quarter, which would represent the company’s largest quarterly opening cadence to date.
Updated 2026 outlook Total sales growth on a 52-week basis of 5.5% to 6.5%. Comparable-store sales between a 0.5% decline and 0.5% growth. EBIT of $675 million to $685 million. Diluted EPS of $5.32 to $5.40, assuming at least $300 million of share repurchases. Third-quarter comparable sales between a 0.5% decline and 1.5% growth, with diluted EPS of $1.20 to $1.24. Year to date, Sprouts generated $369 million in operating cash flow and spent $186 million in capital expenditures, net of landlord reimbursements. It also repurchased 2.8 million shares for $210 million through the second quarter, with $626 million remaining under its $1 billion authorization.
About Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM)Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc NASDAQ: SFM is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts' product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.
Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.
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].
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Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) reported $2.33 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 4.7%. EPS of $1.37 for the same period compares to $1.35 a year ago.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.33 billion, representing a surprise of -0.12%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +1.48%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $1.35.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.
Here is how Sprouts Farmers performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Comparable store sales growth: -1% versus the four-analyst average estimate of -0.8%.Stores at end of period: 490 versus the four-analyst average estimate of 492.New Stores Opened: 7 versus 8 estimated by three analysts on average.Stores at beginning of period: 483 compared to the 483 average estimate based on two analysts.View all Key Company Metrics for Sprouts Farmers here>>>
Shares of Sprouts Farmers have returned -8.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.9% 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.
Key Takeaways Sprouts Farmers' Q2 revenues are projected to rise 4.9% to $2.33 billion.Health-focused products, loyalty gains and new stores may support Sprouts Farmers' sales growth.Consumer caution, pricing investments and fuel costs may pressure Sprouts Farmers' margins. With Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM - Free Report) set to announce its second-quarter 2026 earnings results on July 29, after the market closes, investors are faced with a critical question: Can SFM continue its streak of surprising results, or will challenges in the grocery sector temper growth?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter revenues stands at $2,329 million, indicating a 4.9% increase from the prior-year reported figure. On the earnings front, the consensus estimate has remained stable at $1.35 per share over the past 30 days, matching the year-ago figure.
Sprouts Farmers has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5%, on average. In the last reported quarter, this Phoenix, AZ-based company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What the Zacks Model Indicates for SFM’s Q2 EarningsAs investors prepare for Sprouts Farmers’ second-quarter results, the question looms regarding an earnings beat or miss. Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Sprouts Farmers this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. However, that’s not the case here. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Sprouts Farmers has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Factors Likely to Have Shaped Sprouts Farmers' Q2 OutcomeSprouts Farmers’ second-quarter performance is likely to have benefited from continued demand for differentiated health and wellness products, which remain central to its merchandising strategy. Management has emphasized that innovation and product discovery continue to resonate with customers, supported by a strong pipeline of emerging brands and a growing portfolio of Sprouts-branded offerings. The company has also been strengthening its position in organic and attribute-driven categories while expanding affordable meal solutions, helping reinforce customer loyalty and support basket growth. These initiatives are likely to have contributed to top-line performance.
The company has been leveraging its loyalty program to deepen relationships with shoppers through more personalized offers and targeted promotions. Management indicated that customer response to the enhanced loyalty platform has been encouraging, with stronger engagement from core shoppers and growing participation from newer members. At the same time, the retailer has continued refining its pricing strategy by selectively lowering prices on key everyday items and testing promotional initiatives designed to improve value perception while encouraging repeat visits and larger baskets.
Sprouts Farmers has continued investing in its supply chain, including the expansion of its self-distribution capabilities, which are intended to improve inventory management, product availability and long-term efficiency. The company has also highlighted strong performance from recently opened stores, supported by disciplined site selection and effective local marketing. Alongside these efforts, investments in store operations, employee training and technology are expected to have enhanced execution, improved the in-store shopping experience and positioned the business for sustainable long-term growth.
On the other hand, second-quarter results are likely to be tempered by a still-cautious consumer environment and ongoing pressure on discretionary spending. Management has noted that less-engaged shoppers remained under pressure, with customers continuing to trim the final items from their baskets. Margin performance may also have faced headwinds from continued investments in loyalty rewards and targeted pricing actions aimed at improving affordability, along with higher fuel-related transportation costs. These factors, coupled with continued pressure from lower comparable sales at mature stores, are likely to have weighed on profitability during the quarter. We expect second-quarter gross margin and adjusted EBIT margins to contract by 30 and 80 basis points year over year, respectively.
SFM Stock Price PerformanceShares of Sprouts Farmers have jumped 8.1% over the past three months compared with the industry’s 18.8% rise.
Sprouts Farmers has trailed Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (GO - Free Report) but outpaced The Kroger Co. (KR - Free Report) . While shares of Kroger have declined 13.5%, Grocery Outlet has surged 22.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Does SFM Present a Strong Case for Value Investing?SFM’s valuation remains elevated relative to the industry. Sprouts Farmers currently trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 0.73, which positions it at a premium compared to the industry’s average of 0.21. At the same time, SFM is trading below its 12-month median P/S of 0.81.
This premium positioning is especially notable when compared to peers like Grocery Outlet (with a forward 12-month P/S ratio of 0.20) and Kroger (0.23).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Final Words on SFMSprouts Farmers enters its second-quarter earnings release with a balanced mix of strengths and challenges. Continued momentum in health and wellness products, loyalty initiatives, innovation, and supply-chain improvements is expected to have supported the business, but ongoing consumer caution and margin pressures from value investments could have limited the upside. With the Zacks model not signaling a likely earnings beat, investors may prefer to wait for the quarterly results and management's outlook before taking fresh positions. Existing shareholders can continue holding the stock, while prospective investors should monitor whether the company delivers sustained traffic improvement and margin stability before becoming more constructive on the shares.
Delta Global Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM – Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 22,135 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,707,000.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in SFM. MML Investors Services LLC boosted its position in Sprouts Farmers Market by 0.6% in the second quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 20,287 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,340,000 after buying an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC grew its stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 1.0% during the second quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 13,486 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,044,000 after buying an additional 139 shares during the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 72.7% during the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 380 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 4,106 shares of the company’s stock worth $327,000 after buying an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 6.0% during the fourth quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 3,026 shares of the company’s stock worth $241,000 after buying an additional 172 shares in the last quarter.
Sprouts Farmers Market Price Performance SFM stock opened at $74.89 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $7.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.40, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $82.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $77.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.92. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a 52-week low of $64.75 and a 52-week high of $165.97.
Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $2.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.32 billion. Sprouts Farmers Market had a net margin of 5.70% and a return on equity of 36.06%. Sprouts Farmers Market’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.81 earnings per share. Sprouts Farmers Market has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.320-5.480 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.320-1.360 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 5.55 EPS for the current year.
Insider Buying and Selling at Sprouts Farmers Market In other news, CEO Jack Sinclair sold 10,788 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.87, for a total transaction of $915,577.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 269,980 shares in the company, valued at $22,913,202.60. This trade represents a 3.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Brandon F. Lombardi sold 406 shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.04, for a total value of $33,308.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 6,801 shares in the company, valued at approximately $557,954.04. This represents a 5.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 45,310 shares of company stock worth $3,873,881. Insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.
Analysts Set New Price Targets SFM has been the topic of several recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $114.00 price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Monday, June 1st. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. UBS Group upped their target price on Sprouts Farmers Market from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday. Melius Research downgraded Sprouts Farmers Market from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating and set a $70.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Monday, April 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $96.62.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on SFM
Sprouts Farmers Market Profile (Free Report)
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts’ product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.
Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.
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Wall Street analysts expect Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $1.35 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates no change from the year-ago quarter. Revenues are expected to be $2.33 billion, up 4.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted downward by 1.8% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.
Ahead of a company's earnings disclosure, it is crucial to give due consideration to changes in earnings estimates. These revisions serve as a noteworthy factor in predicting potential investor reactions to the stock. Numerous empirical studies consistently demonstrate a strong relationship between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as indicators of quarterly business performance, exploring analysts' projections for specific key metrics can offer valuable insights.
In light of this perspective, let's dive into the average estimates of certain Sprouts Farmers metrics that are commonly tracked and forecasted by Wall Street analysts.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Comparable store sales growth' should come in at -0.8%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 10.2% in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts expect 'Stores at end of period' to come in at 492 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 455 .
The average prediction of analysts places 'New Stores Opened' at 8 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 12 .
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Stores at beginning of period' will likely reach 483 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 443 .
View all Key Company Metrics for Sprouts Farmers here>>>
Shares of Sprouts Farmers have experienced a change of -10.4% in the past month compared to the +0.6% move of the Zacks S&P 500 composite. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), SFM is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
ABN Amro Investment Solutions reduced its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM – Free Report) by 22.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 106,867 shares of the company’s stock after selling 31,465 shares during the period. ABN Amro Investment Solutions owned approximately 0.11% of Sprouts Farmers Market worth $8,243,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of SFM. TD Private Client Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 1,309.1% in the 4th quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 310 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 288 shares during the period. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Sprouts Farmers Market during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC bought a new stake in Sprouts Farmers Market during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 72.7% in the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 380 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the period.
Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Melius Research cut shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating and set a $70.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Monday, April 6th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $114.00 target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research note on Monday, June 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Sprouts Farmers Market from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Sprouts Farmers Market currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $96.62.
Get Our Latest Report on Sprouts Farmers Market
Sprouts Farmers Market Stock Down 1.0% Shares of NASDAQ SFM opened at $73.94 on Thursday. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $82.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $78.00. The company has a market cap of $6.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.67. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a 12-month low of $64.75 and a 12-month high of $165.97. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.
Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $2.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.32 billion. Sprouts Farmers Market had a net margin of 5.70% and a return on equity of 36.06%. Sprouts Farmers Market’s revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.81 earnings per share. Sprouts Farmers Market has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.320-5.480 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.320-1.360 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 5.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Insider Activity In related news, insider Brandon F. Lombardi sold 406 shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.04, for a total value of $33,308.24. Following the sale, the insider owned 6,801 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $557,954.04. This trade represents a 5.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jack Sinclair sold 10,788 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $84.87, for a total value of $915,577.56. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 269,980 shares in the company, valued at $22,913,202.60. The trade was a 3.84% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 45,310 shares of company stock worth $3,873,881 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.
Sprouts Farmers Market Company Profile (Free Report)
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts’ product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.
Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.
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Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) closed at $74.61 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.54% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.19%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.59%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.05%.
Prior to today's trading, shares of the natural and organic food retailer had lost 5.85% lagged the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 2.41% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Sprouts Farmers in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on July 29, 2026. In that report, analysts expect Sprouts Farmers to post earnings of $1.35 per share. This would mark no growth from the year-ago period. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $2.33 billion, up 4.91% from the year-ago period.
Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $5.57 per share and revenue of $9.51 billion. These totals would mark changes of +4.9% and +8.04%, respectively, from last year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Sprouts Farmers. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.
The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Right now, Sprouts Farmers possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
With respect to valuation, Sprouts Farmers is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 13.6. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 15.51 of its industry.
It is also worth noting that SFM currently has a PEG ratio of 1.6. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. SFM's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.5 as of yesterday's close.
The Food - Natural Foods Products industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 217, putting it in the bottom 12% of all 250+ industries.
The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.
Boston Common Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM – Free Report) by 61.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 80,634 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 30,835 shares during the quarter. Boston Common Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.09% of Sprouts Farmers Market worth $6,219,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Focus Partners Wealth acquired a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market during the 1st quarter worth approximately $400,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 77.7% in the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,509 shares of the company’s stock valued at $578,000 after buying an additional 1,534 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 13.1% in the 2nd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 22,554 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,713,000 after buying an additional 2,609 shares during the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 12.0% in the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 22,882 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,767,000 after buying an additional 2,460 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 64.0% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 11,513 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,896,000 after buying an additional 4,492 shares in the last quarter.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $77.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Melius Research cut shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating and set a $70.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Monday, April 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $114.00 price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. Finally, Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Sprouts Farmers Market has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $96.08.
Get Our Latest Research Report on SFM
Sprouts Farmers Market Stock Performance Shares of NASDAQ SFM opened at $75.78 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The company has a market capitalization of $7.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.57, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.67. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a 12 month low of $64.75 and a 12 month high of $170.49. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $83.57 and a 200-day moving average of $78.12.
Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.67 by $0.04. Sprouts Farmers Market had a return on equity of 36.06% and a net margin of 5.70%.The business had revenue of $2.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.81 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sprouts Farmers Market has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.320-5.480 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.320-1.360 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 5.57 EPS for the current year.
Insider Buying and Selling at Sprouts Farmers Market In other news, insider Brandon F. Lombardi sold 406 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.04, for a total transaction of $33,308.24. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 6,801 shares in the company, valued at approximately $557,954.04. This trade represents a 5.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, COO Nicholas Konat sold 12,538 shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.90, for a total transaction of $1,102,090.20. Following the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 66,119 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,811,860.10. The trade was a 15.94% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 45,310 shares of company stock worth $3,873,881 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.
Sprouts Farmers Market Profile (Free Report)
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts’ product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.
Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.
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Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.
Over the past month, shares of this natural and organic food retailer have returned -8.5%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. During this period, the Zacks Food - Natural Foods Products industry, which Sprouts Farmers falls in, has gained 1.8%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Sprouts Farmers is expected to post earnings of $1.35 per share, indicating no change. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of $5.57 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +4.9%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $5.78 indicates a change of +3.8% from what Sprouts Farmers is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Sprouts Farmers.
Projected Revenue GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
In the case of Sprouts Farmers, the consensus sales estimate of $2.33 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +4.9%. The $9.51 billion and $10.11 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +8% and +6.3%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistorySprouts Farmers reported revenues of $2.33 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +4.1%. EPS of $1.71 for the same period compares with $1.81 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.33 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.15%. The EPS surprise was +2.4%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two times over this period.
ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Sprouts Farmers is graded B on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Sprouts Farmers. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $75.35, demonstrating a -5.42% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.38%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.02%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.9%.
The natural and organic food retailer's stock has dropped by 6.7% in the past month, falling short of the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 0.77% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.27%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Sprouts Farmers in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on July 29, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $1.35, showcasing no movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $2.33 billion, up 4.91% from the year-ago period.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $5.57 per share and a revenue of $9.51 billion, demonstrating changes of +4.9% and +8.04%, respectively, from the preceding year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Sprouts Farmers. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.
Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Sprouts Farmers is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.
Looking at its valuation, Sprouts Farmers is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 14.3. This signifies a discount in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 15.49 for its industry.
It's also important to note that SFM currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.68. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The average PEG ratio for the Food - Natural Foods Products industry stood at 1.55 at the close of the market yesterday.
The Food - Natural Foods Products industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 107, which puts it in the top 44% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.
Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.
Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Sprouts Farmers is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
For Sprouts Farmers, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.
Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsAs empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Earnings Estimate Revisions for Sprouts FarmersThis natural and organic food retailer is expected to earn $5.57 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Sprouts Farmers. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 0.7%.
Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>
The upgrade of Sprouts Farmers to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of 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? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also 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 ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy 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.
#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.
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 have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. operates a specialty grocery chain focused on fresh, natural and organic foods, with an open layout and fresh produce at the center of the store. The company emphasizes attribute-driven products, including organic, plant-based and gluten-free items, and uses a curated assortment that mixes everyday wellness staples with new and emerging brands.
SFM is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 14.43; value investors should take notice.
One analyst revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $5.57 per share. SFM also boasts an average earnings surprise of +5%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, SFM should be on investors' short list.
Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) closed at $80.26 in the latest trading session, marking a -4.56% move from the prior day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.28%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 1.09%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.2%.
Heading into today, shares of the natural and organic food retailer had lost 0.77% over the past month, lagging the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 0.18% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.64%.
Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Sprouts Farmers in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on July 29, 2026. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $1.35, reflecting no change from the same quarter last year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $2.33 billion, reflecting a 4.91% rise from the equivalent quarter last year.
SFM's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $5.57 per share and revenue of $9.51 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +4.9% and +8.04%, respectively.
Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Sprouts Farmers should also be noted by investors. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.
Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged. Sprouts Farmers is currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Looking at its valuation, Sprouts Farmers is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 15.1. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 15.99.
It's also important to note that SFM currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.78. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. The Food - Natural Foods Products was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.61 at yesterday's closing price.
The Food - Natural Foods Products industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 31, this industry ranks in the top 13% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow SFM in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
SummarySprouts Farmers Market is a high-quality specialty grocer with double-digit revenue growth, industry-leading margins, and disciplined capital allocation.SFM operates more like a growth retailer than a conventional supermarket, achieving 39% gross margins and a 31% EPS CAGR over three years.Despite a premium valuation (17x trailing earnings), SFM's PEG ratio of ~1.0 reflects earnings growth that justifies its multiple.I assign SFM a modest Buy rating, favoring dollar-cost averaging due to strong fundamentals but limited margin of safety at current prices. Antonio_Diaz/iStock via Getty Images
Company Overview Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) is a specialty grocery chain focused on fresh produce, natural and organic foods, and other health-oriented products. Under Peter Lynch's classification in One Up on Wall Street
1.05K Followers
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of SFM either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. 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.
In the latest close session, Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) was up +2.51% at $86.70. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.22% for the day. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a drop of 0.03%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 0.66%.
The natural and organic food retailer's stock has climbed by 8.37% in the past month, exceeding the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 5.51% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.21%.
The upcoming earnings release of Sprouts Farmers will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is expected on July 29, 2026. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $1.35, marking stability compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $2.33 billion, indicating a 4.91% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $5.57 per share and revenue of $9.51 billion. These totals would mark changes of +4.9% and +8.04%, respectively, from last year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Sprouts Farmers. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.
Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. As of now, Sprouts Farmers holds a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Investors should also note Sprouts Farmers's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 15.18. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 15.18, which means Sprouts Farmers is trading at no noticeable deviation to the group.
Meanwhile, SFM's PEG ratio is currently 1.79. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. The Food - Natural Foods Products was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.77 at yesterday's closing price.
The Food - Natural Foods Products industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 106, placing it within the top 44% of over 250 industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow SFM in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (Nasdaq: SFM) today announced it will issue financial results for the second quarter ended June 28, 2026 after the market closes on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Following the release, Sprouts’ management will conduct a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss the results for the quarter.
A webcast of the conference call will be available at investors.sprouts.com. Participants should register on the website approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the webcast.
A webcast replay will be available at approximately 8:00 p.m. ET on July 29, 2026. This can be accessed with the following link.
About Sprouts Farmers Market
Sprouts Farmers Market is one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States. Sprouts helps people live and eat better with fresh produce at the heart of the store and delicious discoveries for every dietary lifestyle. Always foraging for what’s fresh and innovative, Sprouts offers a carefully curated assortment of products that inspire wellness naturally, including organic, gluten-free, plant-based and non-GMO favorites. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, Sprouts employs more than 36,000 team members and operates more than 485 stores in 25 states nationwide. To learn more about Sprouts and the role it plays in its communities, visit sprouts.com/about/.
On June 25, 2026, Sprouts Farmers Market Inc (SFM) shares fell 3.9% today, bringing the current price to $82.05. The stock's 52-week range has seen a high of $1
In the latest trading session, Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) closed at $85.38, marking a +1.03% move from the previous day. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.1%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.35%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 0.43%.
The natural and organic food retailer's stock has dropped by 1.31% in the past month, exceeding the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 6.49% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.34%.
The upcoming earnings release of Sprouts Farmers will be of great interest to investors. On that day, Sprouts Farmers is projected to report earnings of $1.35 per share, which would represent no growth from the prior-year quarter. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $2.33 billion, up 4.91% from the year-ago period.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.57 per share and revenue of $9.51 billion, which would represent changes of +4.9% and +8.04%, respectively, from the prior year.
Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Sprouts Farmers. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.
Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant. Sprouts Farmers currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
In the context of valuation, Sprouts Farmers is at present trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 15.17. This denotes a discount relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 15.25.
Also, we should mention that SFM has a PEG ratio of 1.79. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The Food - Natural Foods Products was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.71 at yesterday's closing price.
The Food - Natural Foods Products industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 216, this industry ranks in the bottom 12% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.
In the latest close session, Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) was down 2.08% at $83.61. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.57% for the day. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.64%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 1.15%.
Heading into today, shares of the natural and organic food retailer had lost 3.39% over the past month, lagging the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 3.04% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.14%.
Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Sprouts Farmers in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $1.35, showcasing no movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $2.33 billion, indicating a 4.91% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.57 per share and a revenue of $9.51 billion, representing changes of +4.9% and +8.04%, respectively, from the prior year.
Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Sprouts Farmers should also be noted by investors. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. Sprouts Farmers is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.
Investors should also note Sprouts Farmers's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 15.33. This expresses no noticeable deviation compared to the average Forward P/E of 15.33 of its industry.
It's also important to note that SFM currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.81. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Food - Natural Foods Products industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.72.
The Food - Natural Foods Products industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 216, this industry ranks in the bottom 12% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of 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 also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also 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, 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 investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy 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.
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.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. operates a specialty grocery chain focused on fresh, natural and organic foods, with an open layout and fresh produce at the center of the store. The company emphasizes attribute-driven products, including organic, plant-based and gluten-free items, and uses a curated assortment that mixes everyday wellness staples with new and emerging brands.
SFM is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 14.45; value investors should take notice.
Four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.04 to $5.57 per share. SFM also boasts an average earnings surprise of +5%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, SFM should be on investors' short list.
Key Takeaways Sprouts Farmers topped Q1 sales and EPS estimates, aided by strong new-store productivity.SFM comps fell 1.7%, but e-commerce rose 10% to nearly 16% of sales; private label topped 26%.Sprouts Farmers opened six stores, entered New York, plans 40 in 2026, and raised EPS outlook. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 results, wherein both top and bottom lines beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company benefited from solid new-store productivity, continued strength in private-label offerings and growth in e-commerce sales despite a challenging consumer backdrop and tough year-over-year comparisons.
SFM’s Sales Mix Leans on Digital and New StoresSprouts Farmers reported quarterly earnings of $1.71 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.67. The bottom line rose from $1.81 in the same period last year.
Net sales of this Phoenix, AZ-based natural and organic grocery retailer were $2,329.2 million, coming marginally ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,326 million. The figure increased 4% year over year, driven by strong new-store contributions, partially offset by lower comparable-store sales.
Comparable store sales declined 1.7% during the quarter, reflecting tough comparisons and a cautious consumer environment. Traffic remained soft, while basket size was modestly positive. We had expected a 2.3% decline in comparable store sales.
E-commerce sales rose 10% and accounted for nearly 16% of total sales, highlighting continued omnichannel momentum. Sprouts’ private-label products also remained a key growth driver, contributing more than 26% of total sales.
Sprouts Farmers leaned into its differentiation playbook, highlighting a robust pipeline of emerging brands and a fast-scaling loyalty program. Management said that it has already launched 1,500 new items this year, reinforcing the chain’s role as a preferred launch partner for health-and-wellness innovation.
Taking a Sneak Peek Into SFM’s MarginsGross profit increased to $917.3 million from $886.4 million in the year-ago quarter. However, the gross margin contracted 20 basis points to 39.4%, mainly due to loyalty program investments and higher shrink, partially offset by benefits from self-distribution initiatives. We had expected gross margin expansion of 60 basis points.
Operating income came in at $215.3 million, down from $226.3 million last year, while operating margin declined to 9.2% from 10.1% in the prior-year period, in line with our expectations.
SG&A expenses increased 5.7% year over year to $658.8 million. As a percentage of net sales, the metric deleveraged 42 basis points to 28.3% owing to fixed-cost deleverage from lower comparable-store sales, partially offset by cost discipline.
Sprouts Farmers’ Store UpdateSprouts Farmers opened six new stores during the quarter, ending with 483 stores across 25 states, including entry into New York. Management highlighted strong performance from newer stores and a robust pipeline, with plans to open 40-plus new stores in 2026.
The company also made progress in its supply-chain transformation, with self-distribution of meat nearly complete, which is expected to support margins over time.
Sprouts Farmers Keeps Balance Sheet FlexibleSprouts Farmers’ cash generation continued to support self-funded growth and shareholder returns. Operating cash flow was $235.3 million in the quarter, funding $98 million of capital expenditures (net of landlord reimbursement) while still allowing meaningful buybacks.
The company repurchased 1.9 million shares for $140 million (excluding excise tax) and ended the quarter with $252.2 million in cash and cash equivalents. Sprouts Farmers had no balance on its $600 million revolving credit facility, while long-term debt and other finance obligations stood at $97 million.
SFM Raises 2026 Earnings View, Maintains Sales OutlookManagement maintained its full-year 2026 outlook on a 52-week basis, calling for net sales growth of 4.5% to 6.5% and comparable-store sales between down 1% and up 1%. Earnings before interest and taxes are still expected between $675 million and $695 million, while capital expenditures (net of landlord reimbursements) are projected within $280 million to $310 million.
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company now anticipates full-year earnings between $5.32 and $5.48 per share, up from the prior guided range of $5.28-$5.44, and assumes at least $300 million in share repurchases. For second-quarter 2026, SFM expects comparable store sales in the range of down 2% to flat. Management guided earnings in the band of $1.32-$1.36 per share for the quarter.
Management also reiterated that 2026 will be a 53-week year, with the extra week expected to add about $200 million in sales and 21 cents to earnings per share.
Final Take on SFMSprouts Farmers delivered a modest earnings beat in the first quarter, navigating a challenging macro environment and tough comparisons. While near-term pressures persist, particularly on comparable store sales and margins, the company’s strong innovation pipeline, expanding store base and improving operational initiatives position it well for gradual recovery through 2026.
Shares of Sprouts Farmers have risen 6.4% over the past three months against the industry’s decline of 4%.
Stocks Looking Red HotWalmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) , an omnichannel retailer, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). WMT has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 0.8%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Walmart’s current financial-year sales and EPS calls for growth of 5% and 9.5%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.
Post Holdings, Inc. (POST - Free Report) , a consumer-packaged goods holding company, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. POST has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 19.6%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Post Holdings’ current financial-year sales and EPS suggests growth of 2.7% and 0.1%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.
Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY - Free Report) , a leading convenience store chain in the United States, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. CASY has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 20%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Casey's current financial-year sales and EPS indicates growth of 8.2% and 24%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.
Shares of attribute-focused, specialty grocery chain Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM +1.67%) are up 17% as of noon ET on Thursday following the company's excellent first-quarter earnings. While sales only inched 4% higher -- and earnings per share actually dipped 6% -- these figures outpaced Wall Street's low expectations. More importantly, management guided for full-year revenue growth of 5.5% and EPS of roughly $5.40, leaving the stock trading at just 15 times forward earnings, even after today's rise. With Sprouts' stock price already cut in half over the last year, the bar had been lowered a bit for the better-for-you grocer, and its resilience amid a challenging consumer-spending environment helped spark today's pop.
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After growing sales by double-digits for six straight quarters over the last two years -- before slowing to 7% and 4% in its last two earnings reports -- Sprouts is doing reasonably well lapping these tough comparables. While Sprouts only opened six new stores in Q1, raising its total count to 483 in 25 states, it plans to open at least 34 more over the next three quarters -- all easily funded from cash on hand and cash from operations. One of these six new locations was Sprouts' first in New York, which could offer huge potential if the company can "stick its landing" as it expands into the Northeast.
Image source: Getty Images.
In addition to this store count growth potential, Sprouts:
grew e-commerce sales by 10% to equal 16% of revenue saw private-label products also outpace overall sales growth, now equalling 26% of revenue repurchased 2% of its shares outstanding in Q1 alone, after its share price sank launched 1,500 new products so far in 2026, after creating 7,000 in 2025 This last highlight is Sprouts' "secret sauce," in my opinion, as these new product innovations are what keep customers coming back for a unique shopping experience. After identifying which new products are most popular, Sprouts often introduces higher-margin private-label versions of these innovations, offering customers unique variations of common goods at reasonable prices.
Sprouts remains one of my favorite stocks to buy right now.
Josh Kohn-Lindquist has positions in Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $75 calls on Sprouts Farmers Market and short January 2028 $85 calls on Sprouts Farmers Market. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Sprouts Farmers Market is now a value-driven opportunity after a ~50% decline, with risks largely priced in. SFM maintains FY26 guidance: 5.5% revenue growth, flat comps, $675–$695M EBIT, and raised EPS to $5.32–$5.48. Valuation is compelling at 14.8x FY26 P/E and 10.7x EV/EBIT, a significant discount to the S&P 500.
Whether you're a value, growth, or momentum investor, finding strong stocks becomes easier with the Zacks Style Scores, a top feature of the Zacks Premium research service.
While I may be taking a few liberties in calling the three stocks in this article consumer "staples" companies, I think each business offers a lot of the defensive traits that make the sector intriguing to investors. Not only do these businesses offer products I'd consider staples in their respective niches, but each stock also offers promising outperformance potential at a reasonable valuation.
Although these may not be your grandparents' consumer staples -- and may display more volatility than Colgate-Palmolive, for example -- I think each of these stocks could turn into "steady-Eddie" types of stocks over time and are worth buying and holding for decades.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
1. Chewy: 56% below 52-week high I would argue that the leading pet goods e-commerce company, Chewy (CHWY 6.06%), has become a "new age" consumer staples stock, as the humanization of pets megatrend has made spending on our furry friends incredibly resilient, regardless of the economy.
This notion is especially true for Chewy, which generates 84% of its revenue from its booming Autoship sales. Autoship lets Chewy customers schedule and automate the ordering and delivery of repeat items, such as pet food, treats, or healthcare products. This Autoship revenue is incredibly resilient, giving Chewy a large, recurring sales base it can plan its operations around month to month.
Said another way, 84% of Chewy's revenue is automated, without customers needing to place an order (outside of the original Autoship setup). To me, that's as consumer "staple-y" as it gets. Best yet for investors, the company's operations have continued to streamline beautifully, as evidenced by its free-cash-flow (FCF) ratio.
Fundamental Chart data by YCharts.
Expanding into higher-margin areas such as Chewy Vet Care (CVC) clinics, private-label goods, advertising, veterinary software, pet insurance, and pharmacy products, the company could see its margins continue to rise.
However, despite growing revenue and free cash flow by 8% and 24%, respectively, in 2025 -- with Autoship sales rising 14% -- Chewy saw its stock drop 56% from its 52-week high. Now trading at just 13 times forward earnings, Chewy's reasonable valuation is more than supported by its steady sales growth, improving margins, and expansion in the veterinary industry.
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2. Stride: 48% below 52-week high Getting a good K-12 (or even adult) education is one of the most important factors influencing our lives. For that reason, I think Stride (LRN 0.37%) and its technology-based online education system are quickly becoming a staple for many parents (and lifelong learners) seeking an education outside traditional school options. Whether it's a public school looking to provide a virtual school for home-schooled students or a local school district picking a class from Stride's curriculum that it can't effectively cover with its own staff, the company helps bring the educational system into the digital era.
Over the years, Stride was a pretty steady stock that held a leadership position in its niche. However, it lost some of its "consumer staples" feel in 2025 when the company experienced major issues implementing a platform upgrade. This disruption caused Stride to miss out on 10,000 to 15,000 enrollments -- a sizable figure compared to its total enrollment base of 244,500 today. Following this news, the stock tanked and is just now starting to regain its footing.
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However, despite this self-inflicted error, Stride has largely recovered, with enrollments rising 2% in its last quarter and with operating income back to normal levels. Management stated that Stride is still on track to grow revenue by 10% annually through 2028 and reach over $8 in earnings per share that year. While artificial intelligence (AI) will be a persistent threat to any education company, Stride is well protected by educational regulations and the need for its teachers to solve human-to-human problems (even over laptops), making it less susceptible to disruption.
Trading at 11 times forward earnings following last year's shellacking, Stride is a consumer staples stock with significant long-term potential.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
3. Sprouts Farmers Market: 52% below 52-week high From 2023 to 2025, better-for-you and attributed-focused grocer Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM +1.67%) saw its stock skyrocket from $30 to over $170 as the market decided its growth story was underappreciated. However, as much as I like Sprouts Farmers Market's stock, its valuation probably got quite a bit ahead of itself, which helped cause the subsequent drop back to around $90 today.
Despite this incredible volatility in its share price, Sprouts' actual operations have been rather steady -- almost staples-like, I'd dare say. While grocers certainly fit the consumer staples billing, Sprouts is unique thanks to its focus on attribute-based products, such as vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, organic, responsibly sourced, and more. This differentiation stands out, particularly in a time when consumers are actively seeking healthier food options, and millions use GLP-1 medicines.
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Best yet for investors, Sprouts delivers these unique products at a reasonable price as it tests thousands of new product ideas annually and often goes on to create private-label versions of its most popular creations. Despite macroeconomic headwinds that have hindered the company's operations over the last year, Sprouts inched its sales 4% higher in the latest quarter and continued its steady expansion beyond California, Texas, and Florida, which account for more than half its stores.
If Sprouts is even remotely successful at expanding from its current store count of 483 to its long-term goal of 1,400, the company could be a steal at just 15 times forward earnings today.