The Top 10 Grocery & CPG Stocks: Food Retailers Buck Wall Street’s Gloomy Trend

The FTN/FW Top 10 Grocery & CPG Stocks are curated using a combination of market relevance, segment representation, trading activity, and weekly performance trends. We track them with Google Gemini. We’re less interested in leaderboard bragging rights than in where capital is flowing – and what that says about how investors are reading the grocery business in real time.

Wall Street had an undeniably tough week, but our grocery and CPG stocks largely went their own way. During the five trading sessions ending October 23, the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) slipped 0.47% to 7,623.68, while eight of the 11 grocery, retail and CPG stocks we follow finished higher.

That ain’t half bad; Wall Street is clearly worrying about a lot right now, from tech and AI valuations to sticky inflation and surging energy costs. The performance reflects the old truism that, whatever happens elsewhere in the economy, people still have to eat. And when household budgets tighten, supermarkets tend to remain relatively dependable businesses – another old market truism.

Here’s how it happened…

Albertsons and Kroger Lead the Way

Albertsons Companies Inc. (NYSE) led our list, gaining 6.65% to $13.96. That’s an impressive recovery for a company still dealing with the legal fallout from its botched merger with Kroger. Investors apparently see value in Albertsons beyond its courtroom battles, although those proceedings are clearly still an unwelcome distraction.

Kroger Co. (NYSE) wasn’t far behind, advancing 4.93% to $66.77. Its recently announced growth strategy, emphasizing lower prices, new stores, private brands and billions in operating savings, gives investors something tangible to consider. The plan is ambitious, and Wall Streeet likes the promises, but of course execution will matter more in the long run. Still, I like the renewed emphasis on improving the basic grocery business.

Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. (NASDAQ) gained 1.63% to $66.26, another respectable performance.

Warehouse Clubs Hold Their Own

BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. (NYSE) rose 2.81% to $105.84, while Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ) gained 1.44%, finishing at $1,003.32.

Costco’s return above $1,000 is noteworthy, although I wouldn’t attach too much significance to a round number. Both companies clearly benefit from shoppers who appreciate value and are willing to purchase in quantity to obtain it.

Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ) added 0.91% to $119.89. Its modest gain shouldn’t obscure the considerable advantages of its scale, pricing and increasingly sophisticated grocery operations.

A Mixed Finish Elsewhere

PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ) advanced 3.26% to $135.77, while Ahold Delhaize (OTCMKTS) overcame global cyber-troubles and gained 1.81% to $37.14.

The week’s decliners included Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ), down 0.80% to $248.00; Target Corp. (NYSE), off 0.97% to $152.76; and Dollar General Corp. (NYSE), which fell 1.24% to $132.69.

It’s important not to read too much into five trading sessions, but the performance contrast is interesting and the return of classic defensives is reassuring. Bottom line: Traditional food retailers generally outperformed the broader market, while several businesses with greater exposure to discretionary spending struggled.

For an industry accustomed to operating on thin margins and dealing with difficult consumers, suppliers and economic conditions, a little Wall Street appreciation is certainly welcome.

The Top 10 Grocery & CPG Stocks

Data reflects the five trading sessions from the market close on October 16, 2026, to October 23, 2026.