Ingles Markets Incorporated logo

Ingles Markets Incorporated(IMKTA)

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ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$85.09
09/28/2026
(24-hour delay)

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*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Upturn Advisory & Investor View for IMKTA

09/28/2026: IMKTA (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Ingles Markets Incorporated is a mature regional grocery retailer and real estate owner operating primarily in the southeastern United States. The company is characterized by a conservative, asset-heavy business model, notably owning much of its store real estate. Its main strength lies in this physical asset base and deep regional brand loyalty. The primary growth opportunity involves modernizing store facilities and digital capabilities to compete in a changing retail environment. Risks include intense pricing pressure from national giants and rising operating costs. This stock may suit value-oriented or risk-averse investors who prioritize asset-backed stability, though investors should monitor digital competitiveness and management's capital allocation strategy.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorWeak fitThe company is a mature, slow-growth operator rather than a high-growth tech or emerging industry entity.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock typically exhibits low volatility and modest price movement, making it unsuitable for momentum strategies.
Value investorStrong fitThe company's asset-heavy business model and historical valuation metrics often appeal to value-oriented investors.
Dividend investorMixed fitWhile dividends are paid, the yield is often modest compared to high-yield income investments.
Low-risk investorStrong fitThe stable nature of the grocery business and owned real estate portfolio provides a defensive investment profile.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityLowThe stock is generally less volatile than the broader market due to its stable, defensive business model.
Valuation riskMediumWhile often fairly valued, investors should monitor for periods where the stock price disconnects from fundamental book value.
Competition risk (National retail giants)HighLarge-scale competitors like WMT and KR possess superior pricing power and digital capabilities that could erode local market share.
Business qualityMedium / highThe company benefits from a solid real estate franchise, although the retail operations face pressure from modern grocery trends.
Dividend incomeLowDividend payments are consistent but do not represent a high-yield income play for investors.
Execution riskMediumSuccess depends on maintaining store efficiency and navigating the rising costs of labor and goods in the southeastern US.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

Smooth

The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -5.82%
Avg. Invested days 43
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 09/28/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
IMKTA receives a 2-star rating, reflecting soft or weak scores across the available pillars. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, soft analyst coverage, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
IMKTA has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, soft growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-20.8%), soft cash generation (FCF margin 0.7%), negative revenue growth (-5.4%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
IMKTA's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (0.7% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
IMKTA's growth profile is soft, with the least-weak measure being revenue growth at -5.4% FY2025 versus FY2024. By comparison, while earnings growth (-20.8%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-23.4%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 101.4% and approximately 93.2% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.09%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 6.72%
Brandes Investment Partners & Co 6.63%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 4.92%
River Road Asset Management, LLC 4.82%
American Century Companies Inc 4.03%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
IMKTA generates approximately $239 of gross profit, $22 of operating income, and $7 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Weak margins explain the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and soft capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 23.96%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
IMKTA has a liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLow VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 1.59B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 15.31
1Y Target Price -
Price to earnings Ratio 15.31
1Y Target Price -
Volume (30-day avg) 110.1K shares
Beta 0.57
52 Weeks Range 66.71 - 95.45
Updated Date 09/27/2026
52 Weeks Range 66.71 - 95.45
Updated Date 09/27/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 0.78%
Basic EPS (TTM) 5.47

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Retail SupermarketsRevenue from the sale of groceries, produce, meat, and pharmacy items across all store locations.The vast majority of income comes from selling everyday food and household items to local consumers.
Real Estate and Property ManagementRental income from third-party tenants in Ingles-owned shopping centers.The company acts as a landlord, providing a steady stream of secondary income separate from grocery sales.
Fluid Dairy OperationsProduction and sale of milk and dairy products through the Laura Lynn brand.Vertical integration in dairy helps stabilize supply costs and provides internal revenue streams.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 15.31
Forward PE 8.64
Enterprise Value 1.66B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.29
Enterprise Value 1.66B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.29
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.3
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 5.97
Shares Outstanding 14.55M
Shares Floating 13.56M
Shares Outstanding 14.55M
Shares Floating 13.56M
Percent Insiders 0.09
Percent Institutions 101.41

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Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

About Ingles Markets Incorporated

Exchange NASDAQ
Headquarters Asheville, NC, United States
IPO Launch date 1990-03-26
CEO, COO, President & Director Mr. James W. Lanning
Sector Consumer Defensive
Industry Grocery Stores
Full time employees 12152
Full time employees 12152

Ingles Markets, Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, operates a chain of supermarkets in the United States. The company offers food products, such as grocery, meat, and dairy products, produce, frozen food, and other perishables; and non-food products, which include fuel centers, pharmacies, health and beauty care products, and general merchandise, as well as private label items, organic, and locally sourced items. It also owns and operates a milk processing and packaging plant that supplies organic milk, fruit juices, and bottled water products to other retailers, food service distributors, and grocery warehouses. In addition, the company provides home meal replacement items, delicatessens, bakeries, floral departments, and greeting cards, as well as broad selections of local organic, beverage, and health-related items. It operates under the Ingles and Sav-Mor brand names. Ingles Markets, Incorporated was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina.