Albertsons reinstated with a Buy at Citi

Citi reinstated coverage of Albertsons (ACI) with a Buy rating and $26 price target following a period of restriction. Though the company has lost some market share the past several years, and the environment remains challenging, the stock’s risk/reward is favorable given the current valuation and the potential sales and profitability upside from self-help initiatives that management can now pursue following the blocked merger, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm says Albertsons trades at a historically low multiple.