The sharp Q4 guidance cut (EPS $0.47-$0.51 vs prior year $0.86-$0.90) signals that the cyclospora disruption and consumer headwinds are expected to persist. Monitor Q4 2026 results for any recovery in comparable store sales and whether the 53rd week ($0.16 EPS benefit) can partially offset the underlying weakness.
Price Chart
Executive Summary
Sprouts Farmers Market reported Q3 2026 net sales of $2.30 billion (+5% YoY) but comparable store sales declined 0.9% and diluted EPS fell to $1.21 from $1.22 a year ago. The company guided Q4 2026 comparable store sales down 2% to 4% and EPS of $0.47-$0.51, well below the prior year's $0.86-$0.90 range, citing a challenging consumer environment and a cyclospora disruption.
Key Financial Metrics
Key Facts
- Q3 2026 net sales $2.30 billion, up 5% YoY from $2.20 billion
- Comparable store sales declined 0.9% in Q3 2026 vs +5.9% in Q3 2025
- Diluted EPS $1.21 vs $1.22 in Q3 2025, a decline of 0.8%
- Q4 2026 guidance: comparable store sales (2.0)% to (4.0)%, diluted EPS $0.47 to $0.51
- Full-year 2026 outlook (52-week basis): comparable store sales (1.7)%, diluted EPS $4.80
- Opened 15 new stores in Q3, ending with 504 stores in 25 states
- Repurchased 1.1 million shares for $89 million in Q3
- Cash from operations $555 million year-to-date, capex $275 million
- Consensus EPS estimate was $1.23; actual GAAP diluted EPS $1.21 represents a miss
- Consensus revenue estimate was $2.33 billion; actual $2.30 billion is a miss
Financial Impact
Q4 EPS guidance of $0.47-$0.51 is roughly 45% below the $0.86-$0.90 range provided a year ago for Q4 2025, implying a significant earnings decline.
Risk Factors
- Cyclospora disruption may have lingering effects on produce sales and customer traffic
- Challenging consumer environment could continue pressuring discretionary grocery spending
- Negative comparable store sales guidance for Q4 and full year suggests ongoing market share or demand challenges
- Elevated capex ($310 million full year) and declining operating cash flow may pressure free cash flow
Market Snapshot
Investment Themes
Documents Analyzed
This report is based on 8 SEC documents filed with EDGAR.
| Document | Accession Number |
|---|---|
| 8-K Filing (Primary) | 0001575515-26-000059 |
| Document: sfm-20261028.htm | 0001575515-26-000059 |
| Document: sfm-ex993.htm | 0001575515-26-000059 |
| Document: sfm-ex992.htm | 0001575515-26-000059 |
| Document: 0001575515-26-000059-index-headers.html | 0001575515-26-000059 |
| Document: 0001575515-26-000059-index.html | 0001575515-26-000059 |
| Document: 0001575515-26-000059.txt | 0001575515-26-000059 |
| 8-K Data (Synthetic) | 0001575515-26-000059 |
Track record builds as more directional reports settle.
Filters
| Type | Now | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oct 28, 2026 1d ago | 8-K | $54.24 | awaiting T+60 | awaiting T+60 | $48.00 (+11.50%) |
Oct 21, 2026 8d ago | Institutional Cluster | $68.86 | awaiting T+60 | awaiting T+60 | $48.00 (−30.29%) |
Oct 14, 2026 15d ago | 8-K | $66.63 | awaiting T+60 | awaiting T+60 | $48.00 (−27.96%) |
Sep 9, 2026 7w ago | Insider Cluster | $72.20 | awaiting T+60 | awaiting T+60 | $48.00 (−33.52%) |
Sep 1, 2026 8w ago | 8-K | $78.47 | awaiting T+60 | awaiting T+60 | $48.00 (−38.83%) |
Jun 12, 2026 19w ago | Insider Cluster | $85.39 $73.11 | ▼ −14.38% | ▼ −15.38% | $48.00 (−43.79%) |
May 28, 2026 21w ago | 3 | $82.30 $86.13 | ▲ +4.66% | ▲ +3.73% | $48.00 (−41.67%) |
Apr 7, 2026 29w ago | DEFA14A | $75.48 $89.94 | ▲ +19.16% | ▲ +8.99% | $48.00 (−36.40%) |
Mar 13, 2026 32w ago | Insider Cluster | $82.07 $86.68 | ▲ +5.62% | ▼ −5.99% | $48.00 (−41.51%) |
Mar 9, 2026 33w ago | Insider Cluster | $77.79 $78.05 | ▲ +0.34% | ▼ −11.65% | $48.00 (−38.29%) |
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