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ARKO Corp (ARKO)
NASDAQ:ARKO
US Market

ARKO Corp (ARKO) AI Stock Analysis

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ARKO

ARKO Corp

(NASDAQ:ARKO)

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Neutral 49 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:49Neutral
Price Target:
$6.00
▲(29.31% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/26/26
The score is held back primarily by weak financial performance—recent revenue declines, very thin/volatile profitability, and a return to slightly negative operating/free cash flow. Offsetting this are a constructive (but mixed) technical setup and a more positive earnings outlook focused on margin improvement and cost actions, while valuation remains a headwind due to the high P/E despite a modest dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Stronger balance sheet
The APC IPO proceeds and ~$305M cash meaningfully reduce leverage and increase liquidity, providing durable financial flexibility. Lower debt burden supports funding remodels, NTI builds and selective M&A without immediate external financing, reducing interest cost sensitivity and enabling multi-quarter strategic execution.
Dealerization cost benefits
Dealerization structurally lowers fixed site costs and maintenance CapEx, converting fixed expenses into variable economics. Those persistent cost savings enhance operating leverage, making future profitability less dependent on top-line recovery and improving the long-term ROI of the store base.
Loyalty-driven higher spend
Growing fas REWARDS enrollment and materially higher spend per member points to stickier customer behavior and improved basket economics. Loyalty-driven trip frequency and mix shift toward higher-margin CPG create a durable lever for merchandising margin expansion and resilience against fuel volume volatility.
Negative Factors
Revenue contraction
Two consecutive years of declining revenue signal persistent top-line headwinds. Reduced scale pressures gross margins and limits the payback period on remodels and NTI investments, making it harder for operational gains to translate into sustainable EBITDA growth absent a clear reversal in same-store sales trends.
Weak and inconsistent cash generation
A reversion to negative operating and free cash flow reduces internal funding for capex, debt service, and dividends. The inconsistency of cash generation increases reliance on external financing or asset recycling, constraining the company’s ability to sustainably scale remodel programs and pursue M&A over the medium term.
Thin, volatile profitability
Extremely slim and volatile margins leave little buffer against fuel margin swings, promotional pressure, or macro softness. Such low profitability increases operational risk, makes earnings sensitive to small cost or volume changes, and reduces the cushion for funding strategic initiatives without further capital.

ARKO Corp (ARKO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

ARKO Corp Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionArko Corp. operates convenience stores in the United States. It operates through three segments: Retail, Wholesale, and GPM Petroleum. The Retail segment engages in the sale of fuel and merchandise to retail consumers. The Wholesale segment supplies fuel to third-party dealers and consignment agents. The GPM Petroleum segment supplies fuel to independent dealers, and bulk and spot purchasers. It operates approximately 3,000 locations comprising approximately 1,400 company-operated stores and approximately 1,650 dealer sites. The company is based in Richmond, Virginia.
How the Company Makes MoneyARKO generates revenue primarily through the sale of fuel and convenience store products. The company earns income from the direct sale of gasoline and diesel at its fueling stations, which constitutes a significant portion of its revenue. Additionally, ARKO profits from the sale of convenience items such as snacks, beverages, and household goods in its stores. The company has established strategic partnerships with various fuel suppliers and retail brands, which help optimize its supply chain and enhance its competitive position. These partnerships, combined with a focus on customer loyalty programs and promotional offers, contribute to increased sales and customer retention, further bolstering ARKO's financial performance.

ARKO Corp Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 25, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 07, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call conveyed clear operational progress—margin expansion, meaningful cost reductions from dealerization, loyalty acceleration, positive early remodel/NTI results, and a strategically significant APC IPO that strengthened the balance sheet and unlocked value. However, top-line pressures persist: same-store merchandise sales and retail fuel volumes declined year-over-year, fleet volumes softened, and full-year adjusted EBITDA was essentially flat. Management provided actionable 2026 guidance and capital allocation priorities to drive improvement. Overall, the positives around structural transformation, stronger liquidity and margin gains outweigh the remaining volume and top-line challenges.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Improved Profitability and Margin Expansion
Management highlighted improved profitability: full-year adjusted EBITDA of $248.7M (flat vs. $248.9M in 2024) with merchandising margin expanding to 34.4% in Q4 (up 140 bps YoY) and full-year merchandising margin up 90 bps to 33.7%. Retail fuel margin improved in Q4 to approximately $0.445 per gallon.
Q4 Operating Cost Reductions
Site operating expenses decreased $29.5M (down 15.7% YoY) in Q4, driven primarily by store closures and dealer conversions; same-store operating expenses were nearly flat (up 0.6%) reflecting tight labor management and cost discipline.
Dealerization Delivering Financial Benefits
Dealerization progress: 409 conversions completed year-end with ~120 additional sites committed; conversions delivered a more than $5M benefit to operating income in Q4 (before G&A savings) by reducing fixed costs and maintenance CapEx.
Successful APC IPO and Strong Balance Sheet
Completed IPO of ARKO Petroleum Corp. (APC): ~11.1M Class A shares at $18; ARKO retains economic control (~75.9%). IPO raised ~$200M of new equity (net proceeds ~ $184M) used to reduce debt. ARKO finished 2025 with $305M cash and management cited ~ $635M available for acquisitions at APC level.
Wholesale & Fleet Contribution and Scale Opportunity
Wholesale fuel contribution increased 8% in Q4 to $24M with wholesale gallons up 4% to 249M in Q4; full-year wholesale contribution $94.5M (up 5%), 989M gallons. APC distributed ~2 billion gallons over the last 12 months (management noted ~1% market share), signaling a large M&A runway.
Loyalty and Customer Engagement Gains
Loyalty program momentum: enrolled members spend >48% more than non-enrolled and make 51% more trips. Since Fueling America launch, average daily enrollment is up 38% through 2025, driving trip frequency, basket size and margin mix benefits.
Early Success from Remodels and NTI Stores
Food-forward remodel results: Ashland, VA remodel saw average daily sales +14% and gallons +12% in first 6 months; Mechanicsville remodel sales +10% and gallons +20%. Targeted remodel ROI is double-digit; typical full remodel cost ~ $1M, lower-cost soft remodels ~$400K–$700K. NTI and Dunkin' openings outperforming plan.
Clear 2026 Guidance and Capital Allocation Priorities
2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $245M–$265M; retail same-store margin guidance 35.5%–36.5% (up vs. 2025). Management provided sensitivity: each $0.01 change in retail same-store CPG ≈ $8M–$9M Adjusted EBITDA. Capital priorities: high-return remodels, selective NTI builds, and 20 NTI cardlocks targeted in 2026.
Negative Updates
Same-Store Merchandise Sales Decline
Merchandise same-store sales were down 3% in Q4 and down 4.1% for fiscal year 2025 (excluding cigarettes: down 1.8% Q4 and down 2.7% full year), indicating ongoing top-line pressure despite margin improvements.
Retail Fuel Volumes Down Year-Over-Year
Retail fuel same-store gallons declined 4.1% in Q4 and 5.4% for fiscal year 2025 versus the prior year, reflecting volume headwinds (management noted weather disruption in early 2026 also impacted trends).
Adjusted EBITDA Mixed Messaging and Flat Full-Year Outcome
Full-year adjusted EBITDA was essentially flat at $248.7M (vs $248.9M in 2024). The transcript also contained inconsistent Q4 adjusted EBITDA figures (CEO referenced $66M up 16% YoY while CFO reported $55.7M for the quarter), signaling possible reporting/communication inconsistencies.
Fleet Fueling Volume Decline
Fleet Fueling contribution was $15.9M in Q4 versus $16.3M prior-year; gallons fell to 34.9M from 36.1M in Q4 and full-year gallons declined to 142.8M from 149M, showing modest volume weakness in a historically durable cash-flow business.
Top-Line Pressure Despite Cost Cuts
Although site operating expenses fell materially due to dealerization, the company still faces top-line pressure: same-store sales and gallons declines offset much of the margin and cost gains, resulting in limited full-year EBITDA growth.
Weather and Macroeconomic Uncertainty
Management cautioned the consumer remains cautious and value-focused. Winter storms in late January/early February 2026 disrupted positive early-year trends and could impact near-term same-store gallons and merchandise performance.
Dependence on Vendor-Supported Promotions
Some promotional success (value meals, fuel promos) is vendor-supported; while effective for traffic, it suggests a portion of promotional lift relies on third-party support rather than solely internal margin-driving initiatives.
Company Guidance
ARKO guided 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $245 million to $265 million, assuming an average retail fuel margin of $0.415–$0.435 per gallon, and said every $0.01 change in retail same‑store CPG is expected to impact adjusted EBITDA by roughly $8–$9 million; management expects same‑store retail sales to be relatively flat but to improve by several hundred basis points versus 2025 with planned same‑store merchandising margins of 35.5%–36.5% (up from ~33.7% in 2025), and reiterated APC is expected to deliver about $156 million of adjusted EBITDA in 2026 (with an assumed incremental ~50 million gallons from acquisitions), while ARKO plans ~20 NTI cardlock builds in 2026 (10 already identified) at ~$1–$2M each targeting mid‑ to high‑teens returns, plans roughly 25 remodels (full remodels ~ $0.9–$1.1M, soft remodels ~$0.4–$0.7M) targeting double‑digit returns, and enters 2026 with a strong balance sheet including ~$305M cash and ~ $184M net IPO proceeds used to reduce debt.

ARKO Corp Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Income statement trends are weak with contracting revenue and very thin, volatile margins (notably a sharp drop in EBITDA margin in 2025). While leverage improved materially in 2025, operating and free cash flow turned slightly negative again, which is a near-term financial quality concern.
Income Statement
43
Neutral
Revenue has been contracting recently (down ~0.1% in 2024 and down ~2.5% in 2025), reversing the stronger growth posted in 2021–2022. Profitability is thin and volatile: net margin improved to ~0.46% in 2025 from ~0.24% in 2024, but remains well below 2021–2022 levels (~0.8%). Operating profitability is mixed, with EBITDA margin falling sharply in 2025 (~0.9%) versus ~2.8–3.3% in 2021–2024. Overall, earnings are positive but the business is operating with very limited margin for error amid slowing sales.
Balance Sheet
51
Neutral
Leverage profile improved materially in 2025, with debt-to-equity dropping to ~0.43x from ~6–7x in 2020–2024, reducing financial risk. Equity remains modest relative to the asset base, but returns improved in 2025 (return on equity ~13.2%) versus 2024 (~5.5%). The key offset is the large year-to-year swing in reported leverage, which introduces uncertainty around sustainability and balance-sheet stability.
Cash Flow
28
Negative
Cash generation weakened significantly in 2025, with operating cash flow and free cash flow turning slightly negative (about -$4.2M), following positive free cash flow in 2022–2024. Cash flow has also been inconsistent over time (notably negative free cash flow in 2021), which reduces flexibility for reinvestment, debt service, and shareholder returns. While 2024 showed solid cash generation, the 2025 reversal is a clear near-term concern.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue7.64B8.73B9.41B9.14B7.42B
Gross Profit0.00397.22M423.63M418.55M367.48M
EBITDA70.57M257.03M265.88M271.94M242.28M
Net Income35.32M20.84M34.37M71.75M59.20M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.53B3.62B3.65B3.26B2.94B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments311.47M267.09M222.01M300.93M310.95M
Total Debt114.84M2.58B2.53B2.26B2.08B
Total Liabilities3.17B3.24B3.27B2.87B2.59B
Stockholders Equity267.24M376.87M376.10M380.83M353.45M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-4.17M107.94M24.89M110.48M-67.26M
Operating Cash Flow-4.17M221.86M136.09M209.26M159.19M
Investing Cash Flow0.00-114.86M-296.82M-175.49M-171.78M
Financing Cash Flow-18.39M-56.00M85.36M10.55M-26.38M

ARKO Corp Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price4.64
Price Trends
50DMA
5.34
Positive
100DMA
4.87
Positive
200DMA
4.76
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.21
Positive
RSI
52.42
Neutral
STOCH
27.48
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ARKO, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 4.64 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 6.08, below the 50-day MA of 5.34, and below the 200-day MA of 4.76, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.21 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 52.42 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 27.48 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for ARKO.

ARKO Corp Risk Analysis

ARKO Corp disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. ARKO Corp reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

ARKO Corp Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
68
Neutral
$25.26B41.9116.99%0.39%13.33%13.33%
67
Neutral
$4.08B11.1818.34%1.04%-0.65%-10.35%
63
Neutral
$16.35B250.891.51%3.33%3.26%-25.41%
62
Neutral
$10.65B29.468.35%-12.13%426.82%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
49
Neutral
$675.27M54.114.94%2.59%-12.61%-27.22%
48
Neutral
$3.23B74.073.11%2.53%-19.41%-957.94%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ARKO
ARKO Corp
5.92
-1.20
-16.85%
AAP
Advance Auto Parts
50.44
13.59
36.89%
CASY
Casey's General
675.74
261.49
63.12%
GME
GameStop
24.22
-0.39
-1.58%
GPC
Genuine Parts Company
116.92
-1.37
-1.16%
ASO
Academy Sports and Outdoors
61.19
10.97
21.84%

ARKO Corp Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyDividendsFinancial DisclosuresPrivate Placements and Financing
ARKO Corp Unlocks Capital Through ARKO Petroleum IPO
Positive
Feb 25, 2026

For the fourth quarter and full year ended Dec. 31, 2025, ARKO Corp. swung to quarterly net income of $1.9 million from a $2.3 million loss and grew full-year net income 9.1% to $22.7 million, while quarterly adjusted EBITDA rose 15.6% to $65.7 million and full-year adjusted EBITDA of $248.7 million landed above the midpoint of guidance. The company expanded merchandise and retail fuel margins despite lower fuel gallons and merchandise revenue, and its ongoing store conversion and remodel strategy — including the fas craves format launched in June 2025 — is delivering double-digit sales lifts and expected annualized operating income benefits exceeding $20 million plus over $10 million in projected G&A savings at scale.

On Feb. 13, 2026, ARKO’s subsidiary ARKO Petroleum Corp. completed an IPO that raised roughly $184 million, which the company used to reduce debt and bolster financial flexibility while retaining 75.9% of APC’s economic interests. Management highlighted the creation of two focused growth platforms, an accelerated channel-optimization plan targeting more dealer conversions and fleet fueling sites in 2026, continued investment in higher-margin retail sub-segments and new-to-industry locations, and a $0.03 per-share dividend payable March 20, 2026, underscoring a strategy aimed at reinforcing ARKO’s competitive position and cash generation in a fragmented fuel and convenience market.

The most recent analyst rating on (ARKO) stock is a Buy with a $6.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ARKO Corp stock, see the ARKO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
ARKO Corp Solidifies Control with APC IPO, Agreements
Positive
Feb 18, 2026

On February 13, 2026, ARKO Petroleum Corp., an indirect subsidiary of ARKO Corp., completed an initial public offering of 11,111,111 Class A shares, leaving ARKO Corp. with a controlling 75.9% economic interest and 94.0% voting power, and simultaneously put in place a suite of intercompany agreements defining management, tax, registration rights, employee matters and brand licensing. ARKO also restructured fuel supply and credit arrangements so that APC’s subsidiaries become the exclusive motor fuel distributors to ARKO’s stations for ten years, clarified how future acquisition opportunities will be shared, separated APC from certain legacy credit facilities while establishing its own revolving lines and intercompany notes, and realigned debt obligations to match the economics of APC’s business without incurring additional external borrowings.

The new fuel distribution and omnibus agreements cement APC’s role as ARKO’s sole fuel supplier for most locations, locking in long-term volume and pricing formulas that could stabilize APC’s cash flows while formalizing how convenience store and fuel distribution assets will be allocated between the entities. Parallel updates to tax, employee and insurance frameworks keep APC integrated within ARKO’s consolidated group while it transitions to stand‑alone public company status, and the credit facility amendments and intercompany notes shift collateral and repayment responsibilities internally, potentially improving transparency and capital flexibility for both ARKO and APC stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (ARKO) stock is a Buy with a $6.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ARKO Corp stock, see the ARKO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
ARKO Corp Announces Preliminary 2025 Results, APC IPO Roadshow
Neutral
Feb 3, 2026

ARKO Corp. reported preliminary, unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, indicating that quarterly net income is expected to range from a loss of $1.8 million to income of $0.4 million, with Adjusted EBITDA between $63.1 million and $66.1 million. For full-year 2025, ARKO projected net income between $19.1 million and $21.3 million and Adjusted EBITDA between $246.0 million and $249.0 million, broadly in line with 2024 levels, and said it plans to release final results later in the quarter while also noting that subsidiary ARKO Petroleum Corp. has launched a roadshow for its initial public offering, underscoring the material role APC plays in the group’s overall performance.

The most recent analyst rating on (ARKO) stock is a Hold with a $5.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ARKO Corp stock, see the ARKO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyDelistings and Listing ChangesPrivate Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and Compliance
ARKO Subsidiary APC Files Registration for Planned IPO
Positive
Dec 19, 2025

On December 19, 2025, ARKO Corp. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, ARKO Petroleum Corp. (APC), filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its Class A common stock, consolidating ARKO’s wholesale, fleet fueling and GPM Petroleum segments under APC, which would handle wholesale fuel distribution to most of ARKO’s fuel-selling convenience stores. The company also disclosed that public warrants assumed in its December 22, 2020 business combination with Haymaker Acquisition Corp. II, exercisable at $11.50 per share and traded on Nasdaq under the symbol ARKOW, will expire at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 22, 2025, with trading already suspended as of December 18, 2025, while Nasdaq proceeds to delist and deregister the warrants; ARKO emphasized that the listing of its common stock on Nasdaq under the ticker ARKO remains unaffected, clarifying the capital structure for existing shareholders as it moves forward with the planned APC offering.

The most recent analyst rating on (ARKO) stock is a Hold with a $5.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ARKO Corp stock, see the ARKO Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
ARKO Corp Appoints Yona Fogel to Board
Neutral
Dec 16, 2025

On December 11, 2025, Steven Heyer resigned from the board of ARKO Corp due to health reasons, and on December 12, 2025, Yona Fogel was appointed as his replacement. Fogel, an experienced leader in Israel’s banking, energy, and industrial sectors, brings significant expertise to ARKO Corp, potentially enhancing its strategic initiatives and governance.

The most recent analyst rating on (ARKO) stock is a Hold with a $5.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ARKO Corp stock, see the ARKO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
ARKO Corp Appoints New CFO Galagher Jeff
Positive
Dec 1, 2025

ARKO Corp., a Delaware corporation, has announced the appointment of Galagher Jeff as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective December 1, 2025. Jeff will succeed Jordan Mann, who will continue in a senior strategic role within the company. Jeff brings extensive experience from previous roles at Murphy USA, Dollar Tree, Advance Auto Parts, and Walmart. His appointment includes an executive employment agreement with a base salary of $650,000, subject to periodic review, and various incentive compensations. This strategic appointment is expected to enhance ARKO Corp.’s financial leadership and operational strategy.

The most recent analyst rating on (ARKO) stock is a Hold with a $5.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ARKO Corp stock, see the ARKO Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 26, 2026