WallStSmart

Ingles Markets Incorporated (IMKTA)vsKroger Company (KR)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Kroger Company generates 2625% more annual revenue ($147.64B vs $5.42B). KR leads profitability with a 69.0% profit margin vs 1.8%. IMKTA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.85. IMKTA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 64/100 (C+).

IMKTA

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.0Profit: 4.5Value: 10.0Quality: 9.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 4.46

KR

Buy

55

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.5Value: 8.7Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 3.79
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

IMKTAUndervalued (+63.0%)

Margin of Safety

+63.0%

Fair Value

$234.47

Current Price

$83.56

$150.91 discount

UndervaluedFair: $234.47Overvalued
KRUndervalued (+4.7%)

Margin of Safety

+4.7%

Fair Value

$72.07

Current Price

$73.20

$1.13 discount

UndervaluedFair: $72.07Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

IMKTA5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Price/BookValuation
1.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
70.1%10/10

Earnings expanding 70.1% YoY

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.4610/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

PEG RatioValuation
0.858/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
17.4x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

KR5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
Profit MarginProfitability
69.0%10/10

Keeps 69 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
120.0%10/10

Revenue surging 120.0% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
50.1%10/10

Earnings expanding 50.1% YoY

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.7910/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.80B8/10

Generating 1.8B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

IMKTA4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Market CapQuality
$1.66B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Return on EquityProfitability
5.9%3/10

ROE of 5.9% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
1.8%3/10

1.8% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
3.2%3/10

Operating margin of 3.2%

KR4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.774/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Operating MarginProfitability
3.5%3/10

Operating margin of 3.5%

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

P/E RatioValuation
48.4x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : IMKTA

The strongest argument for IMKTA centers on Price/Book, EPS Growth, Altman Z-Score. PEG of 0.85 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : KR

The strongest argument for KR centers on Profit Margin, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 69.0% and operating margin at 3.5%. Revenue growth of 120.0% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : IMKTA

The primary concerns for IMKTA are Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Thin 1.8% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : KR

The primary concerns for KR are PEG Ratio, Operating Margin, Piotroski F-Score. A P/E of 48.4x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

IMKTA profiles as a value stock while KR is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

IMKTA carries more volatility with a beta of 0.70 — expect wider price swings.

KR is growing revenue faster at 120.0% — sustainability is the question.

KR generates stronger free cash flow (1.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

IMKTA scores higher overall (64/100 vs 55/100). Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Ingles Markets Incorporated

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · GROCERY STORES · USA

Ingles Markets, Incorporated operates a chain of supermarkets in the southeastern United States. The company is headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina.

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Kroger Company

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · GROCERY STORES · USA

The Kroger Company, or simply Kroger, is an American retail company founded by Bernard Kroger in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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