Gerald Baker Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 17,302 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,252,000.
Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in KR. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in Kroger during the first quarter valued at about $27,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Kroger by 268.1% during the 4th quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.
Trending Headlines about Kroger
Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Kroger is expanding its premium food and beverage strategy, including 147 new wine shops nationwide, which could support higher-margin sales and improve customer spending mix. Kroger bets on luxury wines with 147 new wine shops nationwide
- Positive Sentiment: Kroger also made a major change to its rewards program that is intended to help shoppers, which may support loyalty and repeat visits. Kroger makes a major change to shopping points rewards
- Neutral Sentiment: Analysts questioned whether KR is trading near fair value, suggesting recent weakness has left the stock looking more aligned with fundamentals than clearly undervalued. Is Kroger (KR) Stock Trading Around Fair Value Today?
- Negative Sentiment: One report said Kroger foot traffic has slumped for a third straight month, raising concerns about same-store sales momentum. Kroger foot traffic slumps, analyst says, continuing a three-month trend
- Negative Sentiment: Another report said Kroger is scrapping its Florida expansion amid merger-related cuts, which may signal slower growth plans or integration tradeoffs. Kroger scraps Florida expansion amid merger, cuts, report says
Kroger Stock Performance
Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) last released 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). Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The business had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.59 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.49 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Kroger Increases Dividend
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This is a boost from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 82.35%.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of brokerages recently commented on KR. Wall Street Zen lowered Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, June 20th. Telsey Advisory Group set a $78.00 price target on shares of Kroger and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $71.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Barclays set a $61.00 price objective on shares of Kroger and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Kroger has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $72.00.
Get Our Latest Stock Report on KR
Kroger Profile
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.
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