Kroger Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NYSE:KR)

Posted by Geri Gentry on Jul 11th, 2026

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading on Friday. Stock traders acquired 28,011 call options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 126% compared to the typical volume of 12,402 call options.

Key Headlines Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

Positive Sentiment: Traders bought an unusually large number of Kroger call options, suggesting some investors are betting on more upside in the stock. Unusual options trading on Kroger
Positive Sentiment: Kroger is moving forward with its $1.65 billion Giant Eagle deal, a major strategic move that could expand its market presence and boost long-term scale. Kroger progresses on USD 1.65 billion deal to acquire Giant Eagle
Positive Sentiment: Kroger is also investing in store upgrades, including expanding wine offerings at 147 in-store shops, which may support sales trends and customer traffic. Kroger to upgrade wine selection at 147 in-store shops
Neutral Sentiment: Reports suggest Kroger may sell some Giant Eagle stores, especially in Columbus, as part of the broader deal. That could help with antitrust or integration issues, but it also signals potential divestitures. Kroger likely to sell some Giant Eagle stores in Columbus
Negative Sentiment: Kroger reportedly walked back its cage-free egg pledge, which could raise questions about customer trust and ESG commitments. Kroger walks back its cage-free egg pledge

Kroger Stock Performance

NYSE KR traded up $0.72 on Friday, hitting $60.58. 10,399,209 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,965,760. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The business’s fifty day moving average is $62.52 and its 200 day moving average is $65.73. Kroger has a 52 week low of $54.15 and a 52 week high of $76.58. The company has a market capitalization of $37.11 billion, a PE ratio of 35.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.44.

Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. The business’s revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.49 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Kroger will post 5.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. This is a boost from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 82.35%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. lifted its holdings in Kroger by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 3,537 shares of the company’s stock valued at $221,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. PFG Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Kroger by 3.3% in the first quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 4,899 shares of the company’s stock valued at $354,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Kroger by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 10,747 shares of the company’s stock valued at $674,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR raised its position in shares of Kroger by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 17,995 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,124,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the period. Finally, ROI Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Kroger by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. ROI Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8,943 shares of the company’s stock worth $647,000 after buying an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on KR shares. UBS Group set a $63.00 price objective on shares of Kroger and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, June 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $82.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, June 19th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price objective on Kroger from $71.00 to $61.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $72.00.

Read Our Latest Report on Kroger

Kroger Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Kroger Co (NYSE: KR) is one of the largest supermarket operators in the United States, offering a wide range of retail grocery and related services. Founded in Cincinnati in 1883 by Bernard Kroger, the company operates a portfolio of supermarket and multi-department store banners and provides customers with fresh foods, packaged groceries, deli and bakery items, meat and seafood, produce, and prepared foods. Kroger’s stores commonly include pharmacy services and fuel centers, positioning the company as a broad-based neighborhood retail destination for everyday needs.

In addition to traditional in-store retailing, Kroger manufactures and distributes a variety of private-label brands and operates its own food production and supply-chain facilities.