Bank of America Bullish on Stocks Amid Market Uncertainty
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 27 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Stock Recommendations: Bank of America has identified several stocks, including Williams-Sonoma, Jabil, Kroger, Celsius Holdings, and Victoria's Secret, that are well-positioned to perform during market uncertainty, reflecting strong confidence in their potential.
- Kroger's Positive Outlook: Despite Kroger's shares dropping over 7% in 2026, analyst Robert Ohmes remains optimistic about its growth prospects, citing the company's expansion into e-commerce and improved store execution as key drivers, maintaining a price target of $85.
- Williams-Sonoma's Recovery: Analyst Christopher Nardone upgraded Williams-Sonoma from neutral to buy, highlighting its 'affordable luxury' positioning that targets core customers with approximately $150K household income, suggesting significant margin growth potential ahead.
- Victoria's Secret Growth Potential: Victoria's Secret is projected to achieve a 10% EBIT margin by 2028, with analyst Mary Sport noting that remodeled stores are seeing significant sales increases, indicating a strong runway for mid-to-high teens EPS growth in the coming years.
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Analyst Views on KR
Wall Street analysts forecast KR stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 58.250
Low
68.00
Averages
75.00
High
85.00
Current: 58.250
Low
68.00
Averages
75.00
High
85.00
About KR
The Kroger Co. is a food and drug retailer. The Company operates supermarkets, multi-department stores and fulfillment centers throughout the United States. It operates approximately 2,697 supermarkets, 2,250 pharmacies and 1,731 fuel centers in over 35 states and the District of Columbia while also operating online through a digital ecosystem to offer customers an omnichannel shopping experience. The Company also manufactures and processes food for sale in its supermarkets and online. It offers Pickup and Harris Teeter ExpressLane personalized, order online, pick-up at the store services at approximately 2,408 of its supermarkets and provides delivery, which allows it to offer digital solutions to its customers. Its delivery solutions include orders delivered to customers at retail store locations, customer fulfillment centers and orders placed through third-party platforms. The Company also offers customer-facing apps and interfaces.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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See More
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- Extensive Experience: De Martino previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at McDonald's, overseeing people strategy across 19 countries and a workforce of over 750,000 employees, demonstrating her exceptional capability in managing large-scale human resources.
- Cultural Development: During her tenure at McDonald's, De Martino shaped and embedded the company's cultural standards, contributing to record levels of employee retention, showcasing her commitment to talent development and the establishment of a high-performing culture.
- Educational Background: De Martino holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Fort Hays State University and an MBA from Kansas State University, along with completing an executive program at Columbia University, enhancing her expertise in corporate strategy execution.
See More
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- Extensive Experience: De Martino previously held the position of Chief People Officer for International Operated Markets at McDonald's, where she led people strategy across 19 countries and managed a workforce of over 750,000 employees, successfully driving growth and transformation within the organization.
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- Educational Background: De Martino holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & Management from Fort Hays State University and an MBA from Kansas State University, along with completing an executive program at Columbia University, showcasing her strong foundation in business strategy and human capital management.
See More
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- Strong Consumer Demand: Despite high prices, demand for steaks remains robust, particularly for premium and organic options, reflecting a willingness among consumers to pay more for quality during special occasions, which could influence future purchasing trends.
- Significant Sales Growth: According to NielsenIQ, beef sales have surged by approximately $352 million ahead of Independence Day, making it the fastest-growing food category, which highlights consumers' disciplined shopping behavior and intent during holiday periods.
- Industry Benefits: Omaha Steaks reported continued growth in its USDA-certified tender top sirloin filet, with sales up 25% in the weeks leading to Father's Day, demonstrating that even as consumers cut back elsewhere, they prioritize quality beef for gifting and special occasions.
See More
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- Market Value Decline: The acquisition plan has triggered regulatory scrutiny, diminishing market confidence in Kroger's long-term growth strategy, leading to a slight 1% drop in stock price by the end of Wednesday, although it rebounded from intraday lows, indicating complex market sentiment.
- Constellation Energy Target Cut: Citi lowered Constellation Energy's price target from $348 to $297, resulting in a stock drop to a 52-week low of $228.65, reflecting diminished investor expectations for AI-driven electricity demand, which caused over a 35% market value loss in the first half of 2026.
- Shutterstock Merger Collapse: Shutterstock's stock plummeted to a record low of $9.43 after Getty Images terminated a planned $3.7 billion merger, leading investors to doubt its competitive position in the generative AI landscape, despite market sentiment shifting from neutral to extremely bullish.
See More
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