Kroger’s first-quarter earnings may get boost from pharmacy sales, but Albertson’s deal unlikely to close soon, analysts say

Kroger Inc.’s first-quarter earnings scheduled for release early Thursday may enjoy a boost from the company’s pharmacy business, according to BMO Capital Markets.

Analyst Kelly Bania said an analysis of data from analytics and market research company IRI, proprietary BMO sales index analysis and food-at-home CPI, among other sources, found that pharmacy sales and diabetes treatments boosted peer comparable sales in the first quarter.

BMO…