It’s CPI day: ‘Calmer inflation means lower mortgage rates — eventually’ and food inflation slowed in March, but some items are still up by 36%

It’s CPI day: ‘Calmer inflation means lower mortgage rates — eventually’ and food inflation slowed in March, but some items are still up by 36%

ByCitiGist

Hi, MarketWatchers. Don’t miss these top stories. Amazon workers’ serious-injury rates still double those of other warehouse workers, study shows A new report, which found slight improvement in Amazon injury rates, coincides with a shareholder resolution calling for an independent health-and-safety audit. Read More Food inflation slowed in March, but some items are still up…

Shopping at Kroger can be up to four times cheaper than eating out, CEO says

Shopping at Kroger can be up to four times cheaper than eating out, CEO says

ByCitiGist

Inflation and a slowing economy are making U.S. shoppers, even so-called higher-income consumers, look for more ways to save money, and that’s what helped grocery chain Kroger Co. beat fourth-fiscal-quarter profit expectations and provide a full-year outlook that was well above Wall Street forecasts. “The gap between food-at-home and food-away-from-home spending grew in the fourth…

J Sainsbury to close two depots by 2026, affecting 1,400 jobs

J Sainsbury to close two depots by 2026, affecting 1,400 jobs

ByCitiGist

J Sainsbury PLC said Wednesday that it will close two depots by 2026 as part of its automation and modernization plans in a move that will affect 1,400 workers. The U.K. grocer UK:SBRY said that it will integrate its general merchandise logistics network in England with a proposed investment of around 90 million pounds ($108.2…

Ocado backs full year view after strong quarter, record Christmas performance

Ocado backs full year view after strong quarter, record Christmas performance

ByCitiGist

Ocado Group PLC backed its fiscal 2022 guidance on Tuesday supported by a robust fourth-quarter performance and said it has started the new fiscal year with a record Christmas performance. The online grocer and retail-technology specialist OCDO, +5.18% said retail revenue came in at 549.4 million pounds ($670 million) for the 13 weeks ended 27…

The housing market is showing signs of ‘normalizing’ and IRS says ‘Tax Day’ will be different this year — put these important tax dates on your calendar

The housing market is showing signs of ‘normalizing’ and IRS says ‘Tax Day’ will be different this year — put these important tax dates on your calendar

ByCitiGist

Hi, MarketWatchers. Don’t miss these top stories. IRS says ‘Tax Day’ will be different this year — put these important tax dates on your calendar Two thirds of households received income-tax refunds last year, IRS statistics show. Read More U.S. mortgage rates slip, giving some relief to homebuyers The 30-year mortgage rate is averaging at…

J Sainsbury sees 2023 profit toward upper end of views on robust Christmas period

J Sainsbury sees 2023 profit toward upper end of views on robust Christmas period

ByCitiGist

J Sainsbury PLC said Wednesday that it expects to deliver profits for fiscal 2023 toward the upper end of its current guidance following record trading during the Christmas period. The U.K. grocer SBRY, -0.53% said like-for-like sales excluding fuel rose 5.9% in the 16 weeks ended Jan. 7 compared with the same period a year…

Eating 400 calories a day from these foods could raise dementia risk by over 20%

Eating 400 calories a day from these foods could raise dementia risk by over 20%

ByCitiGist

Talk about food for thought. A growing body of research suggests that ultra-processed foods like frozen pizzas and breakfast cereals high in sugars, fats and empty calories are bad for your health. Now, a new large-scale study presented at the 2022 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in San Diego this week offers more evidence that people…

Thanksgiving dinner costs 20% more this year as most ingredient prices spike

Thanksgiving dinner costs 20% more this year as most ingredient prices spike

ByCitiGist

Thanksgiving dinner will be taking a much bigger bite out of your grocery bill this year.  In fact, the cost of buying a turkey and the trimmings to feed a family of 10 is the highest it’s been years, according to the latest American Farm Bureau Federation survey. The Farm Bureau’s 37th annual survey puts…

Walmart vs. Kroger: Compare their prices on milk, bread, eggs and other grocery essentials

Walmart vs. Kroger: Compare their prices on milk, bread, eggs and other grocery essentials

ByCitiGist

Hello and welcome to Financial Face-off, a MarketWatch column where we help you weigh financial decisions. Our columnist will give her verdict. Tell us whether you think she’s right in the comments. We want to hear from you. Please share your suggestions for future Financial Face-off columns by emailing our columnist at [email protected].  The face-off…

Carrefour aims for higher free cash flow as it sets out midterm focus on core markets, cost savings

Carrefour aims for higher free cash flow as it sets out midterm focus on core markets, cost savings

ByCitiGist

Carrefour SA on Tuesday set out a plan to step up investment and maintain annual share buybacks from higher earnings, helped by increased cost savings over the coming years. The French grocer CA, +0.88% is aiming for annual net free cash flow of more than 1.7 billion euros ($1.70 billion) by 2026, boosted by a…

Kroger unveils $24.6 bln deal to buy smaller grocery chain Albertsons

Kroger unveils $24.6 bln deal to buy smaller grocery chain Albertsons

ByCitiGist

Kroger has inked a deal with Albertsons to purchase the smaller grocery retailer for $24.6 billion. The acquisition will establish a national footprint “to serve America with fresh, affordable food,” according to a statement released by the companies on Friday. Kroger Co. KR, -2.64% shares fell 3.18% before market open, while Albertsons Cos. Inc.’s ACI,…

Hurricane Ian: These stocks could feel the storm’s impact

Hurricane Ian: These stocks could feel the storm’s impact

ByCitiGist

As Florida braces for Hurricane Ian’s landfall, a range of companies — from providers of rebuilding supplies to food retailers and parts of the insurance sector — will likely feel the impact. The hurricane is expected to cause catastrophic storm surges, winds and flooding on the Florida peninsula starting Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center warned…

Here’s how you can compound dividend stocks to double the S&P 500’s return

Here’s how you can compound dividend stocks to double the S&P 500’s return

ByCitiGist

Companies announce dividend increases all the time, but here’s one that points to a simple investing strategy that can lower your risk and make you a lot of money over the years. Maybe it isn’t so exciting on the surface: Kroger Co. KR, +1.51%, a supermarket operator, raised its quarterly dividend payout by quite a…

Sizzling inflation is raising the cost of July 4th BBQs by almost 21%

Sizzling inflation is raising the cost of July 4th BBQs by almost 21%

ByCitiGist

If you’re planning a Fourth of July barbecue, be prepared to dig deeper into your wallet. A new study from the Political Calculations blog found that the cost of the traditional July 4th cookout, including everything from hamburgers and buns to ice cream and homemade potato salad, has increased by 20.9% to $71.98 in the…

FDA investigates organic strawberries tied to possible hepatitis A outbreak

FDA investigates organic strawberries tied to possible hepatitis A outbreak

ByCitiGist

Two brands of organic strawberries sold at major chains such as Trader Joe’s and Walmart may be linked to an outbreak of hepatitis A, the Food and Drug Administration said.  The FDA said in a statement Saturday that it is investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A infections in the U.S. and Canada that appears to be linked to…