Financial Enhancement Group LLC boosted its position in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) by 10.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 135,976 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 13,157 shares during the period. Financial Enhancement Group LLC’s holdings in Kroger were worth $8,057,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Kroger during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Kroger during the first quarter valued at about $31,000. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Kroger during the first quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, North Point Portfolio Managers Corp OH bought a new stake in Kroger in the third quarter worth about $30,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Barclays set a $61.00 price target on shares of Kroger and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, September 14th. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, September 4th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, June 20th. Finally, Melius Research set a $80.00 price target on shares of Kroger and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 29th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Kroger presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $69.82.
Kroger Trading Up 3.5%
Shares of NYSE:KR traded up $2.08 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $61.33. The stock had a trading volume of 8,301,754 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,025,370. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.59, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 0.70. The company has a market cap of $36.22 billion, a PE ratio of 33.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.36. The Kroger Co. has a 12-month low of $54.15 and a 12-month high of $76.58. The company’s 50 day moving average is $58.27 and its 200-day moving average is $62.03.
Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, September 11th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $34.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.64 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 49.90% and a net margin of 0.73%.Kroger’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.04 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.19 EPS for the current year.
Kroger Dividend Announcement
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio is currently 84.78%.
Kroger News Roundup
Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Kroger is expanding its private-label offerings as shoppers seek lower prices amid inflation. Greater house-brand penetration could support customer traffic, loyalty and margins over time. Why you’ll see more house brands at your Kroger
- Positive Sentiment: Fuel rewards are reportedly becoming an increasingly important customer benefit, helping Kroger compete with Costco and other retailers while encouraging repeat grocery visits. Kroger and Costco help shoppers cut a major expense
- Positive Sentiment: Kroger is bringing back Boar’s Head deli products after a dispute, restoring a recognized brand that may improve deli traffic and customer choice. Kroger brings back Boar’s Head deli products
- Positive Sentiment: Plans for a new store in a fast-growing market, targeted for late 2027, point to longer-term sales and market-share expansion, although the financial benefit is not immediate. Kroger aims to open new store in fast-growing city in late 2027
- Neutral Sentiment: A new PAW Patrol packaged snack product is launching nationwide at Kroger, adding to its assortment but likely having only a modest effect on companywide results. INCREDIFULLS PAW PATROL PB&J CUPS LAUNCH NATIONWIDE AT KROGER
- Neutral Sentiment: Weekly promotions, discounted California wine and holiday store-hour coverage reinforce Kroger’s value positioning, but heavier promotions could pressure gross margins. California wine glut sends premium bottles to Costco, Aldi and Kroger at bargain prices
- Negative Sentiment: Albertsons alleges Kroger destroyed evidence related to the failed merger litigation. The accusation could prolong legal proceedings, increase costs and renew investor concerns about governance and regulatory execution. Albertsons accuses Kroger of destroying key piece of evidence in merger
Insider Activity
In other news, EVP Mary Adcock sold 72,901 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.70, for a total value of $4,425,090.70. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 175,233 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,636,643.10. This represents a 29.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.41% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Kroger Company Profile
The Kroger Co is a U.S.-based food and consumer goods retailer headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1883 by Bernard Kroger, the company has grown into one of the largest supermarket operators in the United States.
Kroger operates supermarkets, multi-department stores, marketplace-format stores, pharmacies and fuel centers. Its stores sell groceries, fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery and deli products, household essentials, health and beauty items, and general merchandise. The company also offers digital shopping, pickup and delivery services, loyalty programs, and a range of private-label products.
The company serves customers across numerous U.S.
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