SUPERVALU Inc. Earnings: 3 Things to Watch

By Brian Stoffel – Jul 17, 2014 at 12:00PM

NYSE: SVU

SuperValu

Here's where investors should really be looking when the company reports earnings.

Next Thursday before the market opens, grocer SUPERVALU (SVU) plans on reporting second-quarter earnings. Though shareholders enjoyed a 187% gain in 2013, all one needs to do is zoom out to see what a rough time the company has had over the past five years.

SUPERVALU's stock is down 65% since February of 2009, and its once-hefty dividend is no more. Much of the reason for the company's trouble came from a decision to expand its presence just as the Great Recession came along.

That, coupled with the fact that Wal-Mart (WMT 1.32%) has been taking a greater and greater share of the low-end grocery market forced SUPERVALU to sell off many of its stores last year. Many investors already know how important SUPERVALU's Save-A-Lot brand is for future growth, but there are two other critical areas to watch as well.

To find out where you should be keeping your eyes, check out the slideshow below.

Brian Stoffel has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.