Foster & Motley Inc. Makes New Investment in The Kroger Co. $KR

Posted by Brian Himes on Aug 19th, 2026

Foster & Motley Inc. bought a new stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 231,862 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,875,000.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new position in Kroger in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kroger during the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. purchased a new position in shares of Kroger during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Axiom Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kroger in the first quarter worth $31,000. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kroger Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of KR stock opened at $56.39 on Wednesday. The Kroger Co. has a 12 month low of $54.15 and a 12 month high of $76.58. The company has a market cap of $34.55 billion, a PE ratio of 33.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43. The business’s 50 day moving average is $58.34 and its two-hundred day moving average is $64.84.

Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share 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 return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.Kroger’s quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.49 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. Equities analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 EPS for the current year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. This is a positive change from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.76%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings lowered Kroger from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Citigroup dropped their target price on Kroger from $71.00 to $61.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $78.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, June 20th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $72.00.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Kroger

More Kroger News

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

Positive Sentiment: Kroger is opening new Marketplace locations in metro Atlanta, expanding its larger-format grocery, general merchandise and prepared-food offering. A new store is also planned for Lenoir City, Tennessee, supporting the company’s long-term growth and local market presence. Kroger opens new Marketplace locations in metro Atlanta New Kroger grocery store coming to Lenoir City
Neutral Sentiment: Rebel Creamery, whose ice cream products are sold at Kroger and other major retailers, filed for bankruptcy while appealing a multimillion-dollar judgment. The development could affect product availability, but appears unlikely to have a material direct impact on Kroger’s finances. Ice cream brand sold at Kroger files for bankruptcy
Negative Sentiment: Kroger reportedly plans to close 60 U.S. stores in 2026, including locations tied to its Fry’s banner. The closures may improve efficiency and profitability, but they also signal weak store economics and could reduce sales and customer reach. Kroger to Close 60 Stores
Negative Sentiment: Reports and social-media reactions highlight declining Kroger store traffic, raising concerns about competitive pressure, consumer behavior and the company’s ability to sustain sales growth. Kroger’s declining traffic
Negative Sentiment: A jalapeño-related salmonella recall involving products sold at Kroger and other grocers creates potential reputational, compliance and customer-trust risks, although the financial impact is not yet clear. Products recalled over jalapeño salmonella outbreak
Negative Sentiment: Kroger’s co-branded credit card with U.S. Bank is reportedly being discontinued, including changes to gas-discount benefits. Ending the program may frustrate shoppers and weaken loyalty incentives. Kroger’s credit card is going away

Kroger Company Profile

(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.