The Kroger Co. $KR Shares Sold by Sterling Capital Management LLC

Sterling Capital Management LLC lessened its position in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 45.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 19,621 shares of the company’s stock after selling 16,402 shares during the quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Kroger were worth $1,420,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new position in Kroger in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in 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 during the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Kroger during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the third quarter worth $31,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kroger Stock Down 3.0%

Shares of KR opened at $55.99 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $34.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.43. The Kroger Co. has a 12-month low of $55.60 and a 12-month high of $76.58. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $64.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $66.03. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.59 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.49 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that The Kroger Co. will post 5.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, August 15th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. This is a boost from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. Kroger’s payout ratio is 91.76%.

Key Kroger News

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is expanding its rewards program, giving shoppers new ways to redeem points for groceries and fuel. That could help boost customer loyalty, repeat visits, and basket sizes. Kroger Revamps Rewards Program: New Ways to Use Points for Groceries and Fuel
• Positive Sentiment: The company is also rolling out an exclusive celebrity product line and additional seasonal/holiday promotions, suggesting Kroger is trying to drive traffic and differentiate its stores beyond basic grocery price competition. Kroger rolls out exclusive celebrity line to win back shoppers
• Neutral Sentiment: Media coverage highlighted Kroger’s digital coupons and holiday merchandising, which reinforces its focus on value but does not materially change the near-term outlook.
• Negative Sentiment: Fresh price-target cuts are adding caution: Morgan Stanley recently kept an Equal Weight rating but lowered its target to $67 from $73, signaling more limited upside than before. Is The Kroger Co. (KR) One of the Best Stocks to Buy Now For Good Returns amid Price Target Cuts?
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger also faces an ongoing product recall warning involving chicken sold at Kroger and Fred Meyer that may contain an undeclared allergen, which can create reputational risk and a small headwind for sentiment. Check Your Freezer: Kroger and Fred Meyer Chicken May Contain Undeclared Allergen

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on KR. 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. UBS Group set a $63.00 price objective on shares of Kroger and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Wolfe Research reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $75.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, Barclays set a $61.00 target price on Kroger and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $71.94.

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.