Ingles Markets Incorporated logo

Ingles Markets Incorporated(IMKTA)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$87.88
10/23/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for IMKTA

10/23/2026: IMKTA (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Ingles Markets is a stable, regional grocery retailer known for its asset-heavy approach, particularly its ownership of real estate and vertically integrated supply chain. The company benefits from a predictable business model and strong regional brand presence, making it a defensive fit for conservative investors. Its primary growth opportunity lies in optimizing store performance and expanding private label offerings. However, Ingles faces significant competitive risks from national giants with superior scale and digital infrastructure, alongside margin pressure from rising costs. Potential investors should monitor the company's ability to modernize its digital presence and manage operational costs in a highly competitive grocery market.

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 operates in a mature, low-growth sector with limited aggressive expansion plans.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock is generally characterized by lower trading volume and lacks the volatility-driven trends momentum investors seek.
Value investorStrong fitThe company trades at reasonable valuation multiples, supported by a significant portfolio of owned real estate assets.
Dividend investorMixed fitWhile it pays a dividend, the yield is typically modest compared to dedicated income-generating stocks.
Low-risk investorStrong fitIts essential business model and asset-heavy balance sheet provide a level of stability suitable for risk-averse portfolios.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityLowThe stock is generally stable due to its defensive business model.
Valuation riskLowThe company typically trades in line with its asset-heavy fundamental value.
Competition risk (National Grocery Giants)HighIntense pricing pressure from large, efficient competitors threatens market share.
Business qualityMediumThe core grocery business is stable but lacks the high-growth potential of tech or service sectors.
Dividend incomeMediumDividends are reliable but not the primary driver of shareholder returns.
Execution riskMediumOperating a large retail chain requires constant focus on supply chain and labor management.

Price Behavior

Flat / Range-Bound
PRICE PATH

Flat / Range-Bound

The stock price has been trading within a narrow range with minimal directional movement.

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 -6.12%
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 10/23/2026

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 101.6% 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 7.14%
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 1.67B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 16.07
1Y Target Price -
Price to earnings Ratio 16.07
1Y Target Price -
Volume (30-day avg) 112.9K shares
Beta 0.57
52 Weeks Range 66.58 - 95.26
Updated Date 10/25/2026
52 Weeks Range 66.58 - 95.26
Updated Date 10/25/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 0.74%
Basic EPS (TTM) 5.47

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Supermarket RetailSale of groceries, pharmacy, and pharmacy products across regional locations.This is the primary source of revenue, relying on consistent consumer demand for food staples.
Fuel CentersGasoline sales and convenience items adjacent to stores.Acts as a key driver of foot traffic and customer loyalty.
Manufacturing/DistributionInternal dairy operations and logistics infrastructure.Supports operational efficiency and margin control by reducing reliance on external suppliers.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 16.07
Forward PE 8.64
Enterprise Value 1.66B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.31
Enterprise Value 1.66B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.31
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.31
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 6.03
Shares Outstanding 14.55M
Shares Floating 13.56M
Shares Outstanding 14.55M
Shares Floating 13.56M
Percent Insiders 0.09
Percent Institutions 101.59

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.

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