Kroger (NYSE:KR) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.01 EPS

Kroger (NYSE:KR) issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.59 by ($0.01), FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.69% and a return on equity of 41.08%.

Kroger Trading Down 3.7%

KR stock opened at $61.78 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.80. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $66.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $66.48. Kroger has a 52 week low of $58.60 and a 52 week high of $76.58. The company has a market capitalization of $37.85 billion, a PE ratio of 40.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.42.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kroger

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kroger in the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT grew its stake in shares of Kroger by 59.6% in the fourth quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT now owns 509 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Prosperity Bancshares Inc acquired a new position in shares of Kroger in the fourth quarter valued at about $33,000. Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kroger in the fourth quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. grew its stake in shares of Kroger by 253.9% in the second quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 584 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 419 shares in the last quarter. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on KR shares. Telsey Advisory Group increased their price objective on shares of Kroger from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, March 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Kroger from $68.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of Kroger from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $70.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Kroger presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $74.67.

Key Stories Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger beat revenue expectations, reporting $46.12 billion in sales versus $45.59 billion expected, with identical sales excluding fuel up 1.0% and adjusted eCommerce sales rising 19%, signaling healthy demand and continued digital growth. Kroger Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management maintained full-year 2026 guidance and highlighted progress in key priorities, which can reassure investors that the company still sees its strategy on track. Kroger Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Adjusted EPS came in at $1.58, just below the $1.59 consensus, a small miss that likely reinforced a cautious reaction more than a major fundamental concern. View Press Release
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain worried that Kroger’s price-cutting strategy to defend market share could squeeze margins, especially with ongoing competition and recent commentary flagging shrinking profitability. Reuters: Kroger beats quarterly sales estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Earlier pre-earnings weakness and analyst caution suggest the stock had already been under pressure heading into the report, with concerns centered on modest growth and margin discipline. Why Kroger shares are falling today

Kroger Company 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.