IMKTA
Consumer DefensiveIngles Markets, Incorporated · Grocery Stores · $2B
What is Ingles Markets, Incorporated?
Ingles Markets operates a regional supermarket chain across six southeastern states, serving communities from its Asheville, North Carolina headquarters. The company has built a local presence spanning grocery, pharmacy, and fuel services.
Ingles Markets runs supermarkets under the Ingles and Sav-Mor banners, generating revenue through grocery sales, in-store pharmacies, and fuel centers. The company also operates its own milk processing and packaging plant, supplying organic milk, juices, and bottled water to other retailers and food service distributors — a relatively uncommon vertical integration for a regional grocer.
Ingles Markets was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina.
- Full-service supermarkets (Ingles and Sav-Mor banners)
- In-store pharmacies and fuel centers
- Proprietary milk processing and private-label products
- Deli, bakery, floral, and home meal replacement departments
Is IMKTA a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates IMKTA as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful structural challenges across several key pillars.
The Risk pillar stands out as the clearest positive — Ingles carries a relatively manageable financial risk profile compared to many peers in the Consumer Defensive sector. Valuation comes in at Neutral, suggesting the stock is neither deeply discounted nor significantly stretched.
The Moat and Growth pillars both register as Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and constrained expansion prospects in a highly competitive regional grocery market.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does IMKTA pay dividends?
Yes — Ingles Markets, Incorporated pays a dividend.
Ingles Markets pays a regular dividend, which is consistent with its Consumer Defensive positioning and relatively stable cash generation. Regional grocery operators often return cash to shareholders given the mature, low-growth nature of the business. Income-oriented investors may find the dividend cadence appealing, though dividend sustainability should be weighed against the company's growth and moat profile.
When does IMKTA report earnings?
Ingles Markets reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
As a regional grocer, Ingles tends to produce steady but unspectacular results, with performance tied closely to consumer spending patterns in the Southeast. The company's vertically integrated milk operations can add a layer of variability to quarterly outcomes.
For the most recent quarter's results, see Ingles Markets' investor relations page.
IMKTA Price History
+48.4% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Ingles Markets, Incorporated?
Based on Ingles Markets, Incorporated's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
IMKTA Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth pillar registers as Weak, suggesting limited near-term expansion catalysts for Ingles relative to broader sector peers. The Good Risk pillar provides some stability, but the Weak Moat profile means the company faces ongoing pricing and competitive pressure from larger national chains and discount grocers. The fundamental outlook favors stability over meaningful upside.
Growth drivers
- Stable consumer demand for everyday grocery staples in the Southeast
- Vertical integration in dairy and private-label products as a modest margin lever
Key risks
- Intense competition from national chains and discount grocers eroding market share
- Limited geographic diversification constraining growth opportunities
- Thin grocery margins leaving little buffer against cost inflation
IMKTA vs Peers
Ingles Markets competes in the regional grocery space alongside several other operators with distinct strategies and footprints.
Weis Markets operates primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region, offering a similarly community-focused grocery model but with a different geographic concentration and store footprint.
The North West Company serves remote and underserved communities in Canada and internationally, operating in a structurally different market with less direct competition.
Grocery Outlet pursues a discount-focused, opportunistic buying model that appeals to value-conscious shoppers — a meaningfully different value proposition from Ingles' full-service format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ingles Markets do?
Ingles Markets operates a chain of supermarkets across six southeastern states under the Ingles and Sav-Mor banners. The company also runs in-store pharmacies, fuel centers, and a proprietary milk processing plant that supplies organic dairy and juice products to other retailers.
Does IMKTA pay dividends?
Yes, Ingles Markets pays a regular dividend. This is consistent with the company's Consumer Defensive profile and relatively stable cash generation. Investors should review the current dividend details on the company's investor relations page for the most up-to-date information.
When does IMKTA report earnings?
Ingles Markets reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. For the exact timing of upcoming releases, check the company's investor relations page or your brokerage's earnings calendar.
Is IMKTA a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates IMKTA as Below Average overall. The Risk pillar is a relative strength, but Moat and Growth both register as Weak — reflecting the competitive pressures and limited expansion prospects typical of regional grocery operators. A full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is IMKTA overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for IMKTA comes in at Neutral, suggesting the stock is not obviously cheap or expensive relative to its fundamentals. Investors seeking a deeper valuation analysis can access the complete breakdown through a UQS Pro account.
How does IMKTA compare to its competitors?
Ingles competes with regional grocers like Weis Markets and discount operators like Grocery Outlet. Compared to peers, Ingles' vertical integration in dairy is a modest differentiator, though its Weak Moat score suggests limited durable advantages over the broader competitive field.
What is IMKTA's market cap bracket?
Ingles Markets is classified as a small-cap company. This places it well below the scale of national grocery chains, which can limit institutional coverage and liquidity compared to larger Consumer Defensive peers.
Who founded Ingles Markets?
Ingles Markets was founded by Robert P. Ingle in 1963. The company has remained closely associated with its founding family and regional roots throughout its history, with headquarters remaining in Asheville, North Carolina.
Is IMKTA a long-term quality investment?
From a long-term quality perspective, IMKTA's UQS profile shows a Neutral Quality pillar and a Weak Moat — meaning the business lacks strong structural advantages that typically support durable long-term outperformance. The Good Risk score provides some reassurance, but the overall profile warrants careful consideration.
What sector does IMKTA belong to?
Ingles Markets belongs to the Consumer Defensive sector. Companies in this sector tend to offer relatively stable revenues because they sell everyday necessities — in Ingles' case, groceries, pharmacy products, and fuel — that consumers purchase regardless of broader economic conditions.
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Pro Analysis
IMKTA — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | 38.6 | 41.1 | 15.0 | 22.1 | 76.1 | 58.3 | +0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 38.5 | 41.1 | 15.0 | 22.1 | 76.1 | 57.4 | 0.0 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 38.5 | 41.1 | 15.0 | 22.1 | 76.1 | 57.6 | 0.0 |
| Apr 22, 2026 | 38.5 | 41.1 | 15.0 | 22.1 | 76.1 | 57.3 | -0.5 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 39.0 | 41.7 | 15.0 | 22.1 | 76.1 | 59.8 | +0.5 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 38.5 | 41.1 | 15.0 | 22.1 | 76.1 | 57.3 | +0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 38.4 | 41.4 | 15.0 | 22.1 | 76.1 | 56.8 | +1.8 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | 36.6 | 41.4 | 15.0 | 22.1 | 76.1 | 44.8 | 0.0 |
| Apr 15, 2026 | 36.6 | 41.3 | 15.0 | 22.1 | 76.1 | 44.7 | +0.2 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 36.4 | 41.0 | 15.0 | 22.1 | 76.1 | 44.1 | +0.2 |
IMKTA — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 43.9/100 (25%)Ingles Markets, Incorporated has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 42.8/100 (20%)Ingles Markets, Incorporated shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Risk
— 79.6/100 (15%)Ingles Markets, Incorporated carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 62.1/100 (15%)Ingles Markets, Incorporated trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 15/100 (25%)Ingles Markets, Incorporated operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for IMKTA.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the IMKTA UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Ingles Markets, Incorporated is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Ingles Markets, Incorporated's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Ingles Markets, Incorporated is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.