Janney Montgomery Scott LLC Has $12.71 Million Stock Holdings in The Kroger Co. $KR

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 11.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 175,588 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 17,566 shares during the quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC’s holdings in Kroger were worth $12,706,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new stake in Kroger during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Kroger in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Kroger by 268.1% in the fourth 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. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger in the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kroger Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of NYSE KR opened at $56.13 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $34.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.02, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.44. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $63.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $65.94. The Kroger Co. has a 52 week low of $54.15 and a 52 week high of $76.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.79.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 EPS 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%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.49 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared 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 represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. This is an increase from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger’s payout ratio is 82.35%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, June 20th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $80.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Kroger from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Thursday, June 18th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, Wolfe Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $75.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $71.94.

Kroger News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: The Giant Eagle acquisition could boost Kroger’s scale, market share, and revenue base in attractive regional markets while strengthening its pharmacy and digital fulfillment footprint. Kroger Tries a Smaller Grocery Deal After Albertsons Merger Fizzled
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and commentators viewed the deal as a more manageable, offensive move that could help Kroger defend against Walmart and Amazon while buying revenue at a relatively low sales multiple. Kroger Expands Footprint With $1.65 Billion Giant Eagle Acquisition
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader grocery-sector trading was mixed, offering little extra direction from the industry backdrop. Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Mixed Late Afternoon
• Negative Sentiment: Some investors appeared cautious on the acquisition because it adds integration risk and new liabilities at a time when Kroger already carries meaningful debt, which may pressure near-term margins and balance sheet flexibility. Kroger (KR) Stock Slips on Plans to Purchase Giant Eagle for $1.65B

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.