Kroger and Macy's report earnings on back-to-back mornings, and both stocks look interesting right now for completely different reasons. Understanding which kind of story actually belongs in a retirement portfolio changes how you read both reports.
With Kroger (NYSE:KR | KR Price Prediction) and Macy’s (NYSE:M) both reporting before the open on consecutive mornings, but which one belongs in a long-duration income portfolio right now? Macy’s reports Thursday, September 10, 2026, and Kroger follows on Friday, September 11, 2026. Here’s the asymmetry: one has compounded for a decade and is temporarily on sale, the other just had its best year in memory but has structurally gone nowhere across ten years.
Volatility and the Long-Run Record Beta measures how a stock moves relative to the broader market. A reading above 1 implies bigger swings than the index, while below 1 implies smaller. Grocers historically sit well below 1 and department stores well above, which sets up the more important comparison: the horizon inversion.
Kroger closed at $57.20 on September 8, 2026, leaving the stock down 15.9% over the past year yet up 81.5% over ten years. Macy’s closed at $22.45 and is up 31.4% over the past year but down 36.7% across ten years. A long-term compounder having a poor year is a fundamentally different proposition than a structurally challenged retailer having a good one. For a retirement account measured in decades, that distinction is everything.
Winner: Kroger.
Capital Returns and Dividend Track Record Kroger’s quarterly dividend rose to $0.39 with the August 14, 2026, ex-date, up from $0.35 earlier in the year and $0.105 in mid-2016. The trailing 12-month payout stands at $1.44, with a forward annualized figure of $1.56. Buybacks reinforce the picture: a $2 billion authorization from December 2025, with $213 million repurchased in Q1.
Macy’s raised its quarterly dividend 5% in February 2026 to $0.1915 and has roughly $1.1 billion left on its buyback authorization, with $50 million repurchased in Q1. Real capital returns, but a shorter track record and a payout tied to a fleet still being reimagined.
Winner: Kroger.
Setup Into the Report Macy’s raised its FY2026 outlook last quarter to net sales of $21.5 billion to $21.75 billion, comparable sales of +0.5% to +1.2%, and adjusted diluted EPS of $2.00 to $2.20, on the strength of its ninth straight EPS beat and Bloomingdale’s comps of +10.2%. Kroger reaffirmed adjusted EPS of $5.10 to $5.30 and free cash flow of $2.7 billion to $2.9 billion, though its Q1 adjusted EPS of $1.58 missed estimates by less than a cent, snapping a four-quarter beat streak. New CEO Greg Foran said on the call, “Taking costs out of this business is not optional. It’s the starting point for everything else we want to do.”
Kroger’s report also arrives with an acquisition and antitrust overhang that carries real weight for integration commentary and regulatory posture. Macy’s release, by contrast, is a progress check on the Bold New Chapter reset.
Winner: Kroger, on report significance and durability of guidance.
Verdict: Kroger for the Long Haul For the retirement-focused investor, Kroger is the more attractive option. A decade of compounding, a dividend rising every year since 2016, defensive grocery cash flows, and a stock trading well below its one-year high combine to create a higher-quality entry point (the same never-sell-the-shares logic we laid out in a free dividend ladder guide here: Never Touch the Principal). Macy’s deserves credit for genuine execution under Tony Spring, including nine straight EPS beats and the strongest Q1 comps in four years, but department-store economics do not compound the way groceries do.
The single biggest risk to owning Kroger is an adverse regulatory or litigation outcome tied to its acquisition activity, which could sap the cost-out thesis Foran is selling.
Items to keep an eye on in the two releases:
Kroger’s FY2026 EPS and free-cash-flow guidance, plus any pricing-investment commentary tied to the October 20, 2026, investor update. Macy’s second-half comp trajectory and the tariff-related gross-margin impact of 20 to 40 basis points. Any update on regulatory posture around Kroger’s deal activity. Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price. Do they really matter, though?
Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about Kroger (KR - Free Report) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.
Kroger currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 2.00, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 22 brokerage firms. An ABR of 2.00 indicates Buy.
Of the 22 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 11 are Strong Buy, representing 50% of all recommendations.
Brokerage Recommendation Trends for KR
Check price target & stock forecast for Kroger here>>>
While the ABR calls for buying Kroger, it may not be wise to make an investment decision solely based on this information. Several studies have shown limited to no success of brokerage recommendations in guiding investors to pick stocks with the best price increase potential.
Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.
This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock's future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.
ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks RankIn spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures.
The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.
Analysts employed by brokerage firms have been and continue to be overly optimistic with their recommendations. Since the ratings issued by these analysts are more favorable than their research would support because of the vested interest of their employers, they mislead investors far more often than they guide.
In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research.
Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.
There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices.
Should You Invest in KR?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for Kroger, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has declined 0.1% over the past month to $5.21.
Analysts' growing pessimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates lower, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to plunge in the near term.
The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for Kroger. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
Therefore, it could be wise to take the Buy-equivalent ABR for Kroger with a grain of salt.
Kroger (KR) doesn't possess the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.
CINCINNATI, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that Mark Ibbotson will join the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer, effective September 14.
Jupiter Topco LLC purchased a new position in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 76,501 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,248,000.
A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. SGL Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Kroger during the second quarter valued at $2,764,000. Allstate Corp grew its stake in shares of Kroger by 108.5% in the 4th quarter. Allstate Corp now owns 47,991 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,998,000 after buying an additional 24,976 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 2nd quarter worth about $76,633,000. Conning Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Kroger by 10,178.7% in the 4th quarter. Conning Inc. now owns 507,459 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,706,000 after buying an additional 502,522 shares during the last quarter. Finally, North Dakota State Investment Board purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,299,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $82.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, June 19th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 price target on Kroger in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Wall Street Zen downgraded Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, June 20th. Finally, Barclays set a $61.00 price objective on shares of Kroger and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $71.75.
View Our Latest Research Report on Kroger Kroger Trading Up 0.7% NYSE:KR opened at $57.94 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $57.69 and a 200 day moving average of $64.26. 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 Kroger Co. has a 52 week low of $54.15 and a 52 week high of $76.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.08, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.41.
Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.01). Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The business had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.49 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Kroger Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, August 15th were issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. This is a positive change from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 14th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio is presently 91.76%.
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.
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Small Batch Cheeses Aged in Murrays Caves Now Available in Select Charlotte Stores
, /PRNewswire/ -- Murray's Cheese is bringing its celebrated cave aged collection to Charlotte for the first time. This fall, Murray's Cave Aged Cheeses will debut at five Murray's Cheese kiosks inside Harris Teeter stores, marking the first time the unique small-batch collection has been available in the Charlotte area.
Harris Teeter storefront Murray's NYC state-of-the-art cheese caves are where their expert team ages and ripens cheeses – a process known as affinage. Starting with unmatured wheels sourced from the world's best creameries, the caves team uses time-honored techniques to develop the taste, texture and rind of each cheese in the ideal temperature and humidity setting.
Five of Murray's cave-aged cheeses, available at Harris Teeter, created in collaboration with distinguished cheesemakers and proprietarily aged in Murray's cheese caves, received honors at the 2026 American Cheese Society (ACS) Judging & Competition Awards, one of the most respected and competitive accolades in American artisan cheese. Murray's Cave Aged assortment represents the pinnacle of cheese artistry, imagination and technique
"Our cheese caves allow us to experiment with flavor and be endlessly curious about cheese, and we are thrilled to bring exclusive new offerings to cheese lovers at Harris Teeter," says Nick Tranchina, President of Murray's Cheese. "With cheeses crafted by some of the finest cheesemakers in the U.S. and finished by our dedicated team, we hope to introduce customers to their new favorite cheese."
The initial launch of Murray's Cave Aged cheese collection in Harris Teeter includes:
Murray's Cave Aged Reserve Cornelia, a buttery cow's milk wheel with rich, toasty notes. Murray's Cave Aged Reserve Barnstorm Blue, a unique raw milk washed rind blue that's crumbly, salty and bold. Murray's Cave Aged Reserve Hudson Flower, an herb and flower-coated wheel with a cheesecake-like texture. Murray's Cave Aged Mini Greensward, a spruce-wrapped wheel washed in cider for a woodsy flavor and luscious texture. Murray's Cave Aged Original Stockinghall Cheddar, a clothbound cheddar named Best Cheddar and Best American Cheese at the World Cheese Awards. Murray's Cave Aged Reserve Carpenter's Wheel, a sweet and nutty Alpine-style goat cheese with a decorative rind. Murray's cheese kiosk at Harris Teeter brings people together through a welcoming, community-focused experience centered around great food and shared discovery. Regular tasting events, ranging from Parmesan wheel cracking's to cozy fondue samplings, invite guests to connect, learn, and explore new flavors side by side. Every day, knowledgeable cheesemongers offer a guided, people-first shopping experience, taking the time to listen, share stories behind the cheeses, and help each customer find something they'll truly enjoy.
Harris Teeter will be hosting Perfect Pairing events on August 27 at the following locations. These signature events give customers an opportunity for tasting creative pairings and shopping our new offerings as well as a chance to speak directly to our Affineur.
Morrocroft Village, 4-7 p.m.
6701 Carnegie Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28211
Stonecrest, 4-7 p.m.
7852 Rea Rd
Charlotte, NC 28277
Ballantyne Commons East, 5-8 p.m.
15007 John J. Delaney Dr
Charlotte, NC 28277
Cureton Town Center, 5-8 p.m.
8157 Kensington Dr
Waxhaw, NC 28173
About Murray's Cheese: Murray's Cheese is a beloved mainstay in New York City that has evolved into a world-renowned specialty food destination that makes, sources, sells and serves exceptional cheese. Murray's operates two NYC retail shops and a robust e-commerce program with gifts, monthly clubs and cheeses aged in their cheese caves. Cheese experts also host tasting classes and events, and the company supplies some of the country's most beloved restaurants with cheese. Murray's joined the Kroger family in 2017 and their experts guide customers through a joyful shopping experience within 1,200+ stores throughout the country. Follow along at @murrayscheese and www.murrayscheese.com.
About Harris Teeter: For more than 60 years, Harris Teeter, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), has enriched lives – one meal, one family, one associate and one community at a time. Headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina, Harris Teeter employs 36,000 valued associates across more than 250 stores and 85 fuel centers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia.
Kroger (KR - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $56.93, moving -2.7% from the previous trading session. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.72%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 1.57%.
Coming into today, shares of the supermarket chain had lost 2.27% in the past month. In that same time, the Retail-Wholesale sector gained 4.88%, while the S&P 500 gained 3.68%.
The upcoming earnings release of Kroger will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is expected on September 11, 2026. In that report, analysts expect Kroger to post earnings of $1.05 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 0.96%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $34.78 billion, up 2.47% from the prior-year quarter.
In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $5.21 per share and a revenue of $151.36 billion, indicating changes of +7.42% and +2.52%, respectively, from the former year.
Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Kroger. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.
Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged. Currently, Kroger is carrying a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).
Looking at its valuation, Kroger is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 11.23. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 14.54.
Also, we should mention that KR has a PEG ratio of 1.57. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. The Retail - Supermarkets was holding an average PEG ratio of 2.09 at yesterday's closing price.
The Retail - Supermarkets industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 167, this industry ranks in the bottom 33% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow KR in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
, /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), America's Grocer, announced the 2026 Kroger Wellness Tour, a September-long effort designed to bring practical wellness resources directly to customers in stores and communities across the country.
Throughout September, participating Kroger Family of Stores locations will host wellness-focused in-store activations every Friday and Saturday. Customers will have opportunities to sample better-for-you products, learn more about OptUP® Picks and connect with Kroger Health experts, including pharmacists and dietitians, who can help customers take simple steps toward everyday well-being.
The tour will also include four community mini-fest events in Nashville, Houston, Phoenix and Salt Lake City. These larger local experiences are designed to bring the Wellness Tour to life through product discovery, nutrition education, family-friendly engagement and community-centered programming.
"Kroger touches millions of families every day," said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. "The Wellness Tour is about using that reach to meet customers where they are and make it easier to take one step toward better health."
In-store activations nationwide
During the entire month of September, participating Kroger Family of Stores locations will host wellness-focused in-store activations every Friday and Saturday. Customers can expect:
Better-for-you product sampling, including dietitian-approved OptUP® picks where available Opportunities to connect with Kroger Health experts, including pharmacists and dietitians Nutrition education and resources to support healthier everyday choices Information about Kroger Health services and wellness resources available in store and online Community mini-fest events
Four cities will host expanded Wellness Tour experiences that bring the program to life beyond the store:
Sept. 5 in the Nashville area: Kroger Store #580, 2015 Needmore Rd., Clarksville, Tennessee Sept. 12 in the Houston area: Kroger Store #142, 20168 Eva St., Montgomery, Texas Sept. 19 in the Phoenix area: Fry's Store #655, 3490 S. Power Rd., Gilbert, Arizona Sept. 26 in the Salt Lake City area: Smith's Store #274, 5710 W 7800 South, West Jordan, Utah Mini-fest programming may include product sampling, wellness workshops, live cooking demonstrations, fitness activations, giveaways, coupons and community engagement opportunities. Visit Kroger.com/wellnesstour to learn more.
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies more than 400,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an eCommerce experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
National Release: Kroger Is Improving Wellness in Neighborhoods Across America PR Newswire
CINCINNATI, Aug. 28, 2026
, /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), America's Grocer, announced the 2026 Kroger Wellness Tour, a September-long effort designed to bring practical wellness resources directly to customers in stores and communities across the country.
Throughout September, participating Kroger Family of Stores locations will host wellness-focused in-store activations every Friday and Saturday. Customers will have opportunities to sample better-for-you products, learn more about OptUP® Picks and connect with Kroger Health experts, including pharmacists and dietitians, who can help customers take simple steps toward everyday well-being.
The tour will also include four community mini-fest events in Nashville, Houston, Phoenix and Salt Lake City. These larger local experiences are designed to bring the Wellness Tour to life through product discovery, nutrition education, family-friendly engagement and community-centered programming.
"Kroger touches millions of families every day," said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. "The Wellness Tour is about using that reach to meet customers where they are and make it easier to take one step toward better health."
In-store activations nationwide
During the entire month of September, participating Kroger Family of Stores locations will host wellness-focused in-store activations every Friday and Saturday. Customers can expect:
Better-for-you product sampling, including dietitian-approved OptUP® picks where availableOpportunities to connect with Kroger Health experts, including pharmacists and dietitiansNutrition education and resources to support healthier everyday choicesInformation about Kroger Health services and wellness resources available in store and onlineCommunity mini-fest events
Four cities will host expanded Wellness Tour experiences that bring the program to life beyond the store:
Sept. 5 in the Nashville area: Kroger Store #580, 2015 Needmore Rd., Clarksville, TennesseeSept. 12 in the Houston area: Kroger Store #142, 20168 Eva St., Montgomery, TexasSept. 19 in the Phoenix area: Fry's Store #655, 3490 S. Power Rd., Gilbert, ArizonaSept. 26 in the Salt Lake City area: Smith's Store #274, 5710 W 7800 South, West Jordan, UtahMini-fest programming may include product sampling, wellness workshops, live cooking demonstrations, fitness activations, giveaways, coupons and community engagement opportunities. Visit Kroger.com/wellnesstour to learn more.
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies more than 400,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an eCommerce experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-release-kroger-is-improving-wellness-in-neighborhoods-across-america-302862767.html
The Kroger Co. remains a Buy due to its compelling valuation despite recent share price underperformance and mixed profitability. KR's e-commerce sales surged 13% year-over-year, with adjusted growth of 19%, and private label 'Our Brands' outpaced national brands by 175 basis points. Management forecasts flat to modest growth in identical sales and EPS for fiscal 2026 but expects operating cash flow to decline to around $6.7 billion.
Shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nineteen brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $72.00.
A number of analysts have issued reports on KR shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, June 20th. Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $71.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Barclays set a $61.00 target price on shares of Kroger and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, June 1st.
View Our Latest Analysis on Kroger
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kroger A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of KR. HORAN Wealth LLC lifted its position in Kroger by 21.7% in the second quarter. HORAN Wealth LLC now owns 9,022 shares of the company’s stock worth $501,000 after buying an additional 1,606 shares during the last quarter. Amundi increased its position in Kroger by 18.3% during the second quarter. Amundi now owns 3,942,230 shares of the company’s stock valued at $218,912,000 after acquiring an additional 610,039 shares during the last quarter. Advus Financial Partners LLC increased its position in Kroger by 17.4% during the second quarter. Advus Financial Partners LLC now owns 6,515 shares of the company’s stock valued at $362,000 after acquiring an additional 964 shares during the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger in the second quarter valued at $13,945,000. Finally, California State Teachers Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Kroger by 6,190.2% in the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 43,768,080 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,430,441,000 after acquiring an additional 43,072,270 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock. More Kroger News Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:
Positive Sentiment: Kroger announced its 2026 Wellness Tour, with September in-store and community events intended to increase customer engagement and reinforce the company’s health-and-wellness offerings. The initiative is strategically positive, though its near-term financial impact is likely limited. Kroger Wellness Tour announcement Positive Sentiment: Unusually heavy call-option activity, with purchases more than double the typical daily volume, suggests increased bullish speculative interest. However, options activity does not guarantee sustained buying in the stock. Neutral Sentiment: Murray’s Cheese, a Kroger brand, expanded its premium cave-aged collection to select Harris Teeter stores in Charlotte. The launch supports product differentiation and potentially higher-margin sales but is unlikely to materially affect companywide results. Murray’s Cheese Harris Teeter launch Neutral Sentiment: Kroger’s recent earnings showed revenue growth and earnings ahead of the prior-year period, but earnings per share narrowly missed estimates. Management’s fiscal-year EPS guidance remains a key factor for investors assessing whether the current valuation is justified. Negative Sentiment: Industry data indicated Kroger’s foot traffic declined in July as the broader supermarket sector also struggled. Persistent traffic weakness could pressure comparable sales and raise concerns about consumer demand. Kroger July foot traffic report Negative Sentiment: Kroger agreed to pay $17 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging prescription-drug pricing practices. The cash cost is manageable relative to Kroger’s size, but the settlement adds legal expense and reputational risk. Kroger prescription pricing settlement Negative Sentiment: Sony Music sued Kroger over alleged unauthorized use of songs in social-media advertising, creating another potential legal liability. The financial impact is uncertain, but the lawsuit adds to investor concerns following the pharmacy settlement. Sony Music lawsuit against Kroger Kroger Stock Up 0.0% KR opened at $57.73 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $57.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $64.41. Kroger has a 52 week low of $54.15 and a 52 week high of $76.58. The company has a market capitalization of $35.37 billion, a PE ratio of 33.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 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.
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 for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.49 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. Analysts forecast that Kroger will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Kroger Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed 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. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. This is a boost from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 91.76%.
About Kroger (Get 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.
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Customers of The Kroger Co. banners Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Harris Teeter can now have groceries and eligible prescriptions delivered in one order, Kroger said in a Monday (Aug. 24) press release. This capability is delivered through the company's websites and apps, and it is powered by grocery technology company Instacart, according to the release.
Filled and delivered together in a single Instacart-powered order, the service makes shopping even easier
, /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), America's grocer, and Instacart (NASDAQ: CART), the leading grocery technology company in North America, today announced a new way for customers to get groceries and eligible prescriptions* delivered in one order directly through Kroger's websites and apps.
Grocery & Prescription Delivery is now available across nearly all Kroger banners nationwide, including Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Harris Teeter. The Instacart-powered capability connects customers to delivery from more than 2,200 Kroger pharmacy locations.
As families prepare for the busy back-to-school season, the new delivery option removes one more item on the to-do list by combining groceries and eligible prescriptions into a single, convenient order. Eligible prescriptions are filled and verified by Kroger pharmacy teams before being delivered directly from the store by an Instacart shopper, ensuring customers continue to receive the care from the pharmacy team they know and trust, with prescriptions secured in tamper-resistant packaging for added peace of mind.
How it works
When an eligible prescription is ready, pharmacy customers receive a notification.Customers can combine prescriptions and groceries into a single delivery order through Kroger Family of Store's websites or mobile apps. To add an eligible prescription, customers must be signed in and connected to their My Prescriptions account. Customers can either: Add groceries to an eligible prescription order orAdd an eligible prescription to a grocery order already in progress.Kroger Family of Pharmacy teams fill and verify eligible prescriptions.Once verified, the order is delivered by an Instacart shopper directly to the customer's door from their local store.Customers can choose the delivery option that works best for them, whether they'd like their prescription handed directly to them or left at their door."At Kroger, we're committed to making it easier for our customers to take care of their health and their families," said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. "This new service combines the convenience of grocery delivery with the personalized care provided by our pharmacy teams. Customers have groceries and eligible prescriptions delivered together, knowing their prescriptions are filled and verified by the trusted Kroger pharmacy teams who serve their communities every day."
"Grocery delivery has always been about removing friction from people's lives, and picking up a prescription is one of the most important errands customers manage," said Ryan Hamburger, chief commercial officer at Instacart. "Together with Kroger, we're making it easier for customers to access groceries and pharmacy services in one order, bringing greater convenience to everyday life while preserving the trusted pharmacy experience customers depend on."
The new delivery option reinforces Kroger's commitment to meeting customers where they are, whether in store or online, with convenient access to food, pharmacy services and everyday essentials they need.
For Boost by Kroger Plus members, the new service is even more convenient, offering members exclusive discounts, 2x Points, streaming options and free grocery and prescription delivery on eligible orders. Customers can learn more about Boost memberships at Kroger.com/membership.
*Prescription delivery requires enrollment in My Prescriptions and Online Pay. Prescription delivery eligibility may vary by medication type, delivery address type or local regulations. Age restrictions and other restrictions and exclusions apply. See Pharmacy for details.
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies more than 400,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an eCommerce experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
About Instacart
Instacart is a leading grocery technology company that partners with more than 2,200 retail banners – representing nearly 100,000 stores – to transform how people shop for the groceries they need from the retailers they trust, while creating flexible earning opportunities for shoppers. Through the Instacart Marketplace, Instacart Enterprise platform, and Instacart Ads ecosystem, the company powers ecommerce, fulfillment, in-store technology, AI offerings, and advertising for partners. For more information, visit www.instacart.com/company. Maplebear Inc. is the registered corporate name of Instacart.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-customers-can-shop-for-groceries-and-prescriptions-in-a-single-order-302858537.html
Filled and delivered together in a single Instacart-powered order, the service makes shopping even easier
, /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), America's grocer, and Instacart (NASDAQ: CART), the leading grocery technology company in North America, today announced a new way for customers to get groceries and eligible prescriptions* delivered in one order directly through Kroger's websites and apps.
Grocery & Prescription Delivery is now available across nearly all Kroger banners nationwide, including Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Harris Teeter. The Instacart-powered capability connects customers to delivery from more than 2,200 Kroger pharmacy locations.
As families prepare for the busy back-to-school season, the new delivery option removes one more item on the to-do list by combining groceries and eligible prescriptions into a single, convenient order. Eligible prescriptions are filled and verified by Kroger pharmacy teams before being delivered directly from the store by an Instacart shopper, ensuring customers continue to receive the care from the pharmacy team they know and trust, with prescriptions secured in tamper-resistant packaging for added peace of mind.
How it works
When an eligible prescription is ready, pharmacy customers receive a notification. Customers can combine prescriptions and groceries into a single delivery order through Kroger Family of Store's websites or mobile apps. To add an eligible prescription, customers must be signed in and connected to their My Prescriptions account. Customers can either: Add groceries to an eligible prescription order or Add an eligible prescription to a grocery order already in progress. Kroger Family of Pharmacy teams fill and verify eligible prescriptions. Once verified, the order is delivered by an Instacart shopper directly to the customer's door from their local store. Customers can choose the delivery option that works best for them, whether they'd like their prescription handed directly to them or left at their door. "At Kroger, we're committed to making it easier for our customers to take care of their health and their families," said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. "This new service combines the convenience of grocery delivery with the personalized care provided by our pharmacy teams. Customers have groceries and eligible prescriptions delivered together, knowing their prescriptions are filled and verified by the trusted Kroger pharmacy teams who serve their communities every day."
"Grocery delivery has always been about removing friction from people's lives, and picking up a prescription is one of the most important errands customers manage," said Ryan Hamburger, chief commercial officer at Instacart. "Together with Kroger, we're making it easier for customers to access groceries and pharmacy services in one order, bringing greater convenience to everyday life while preserving the trusted pharmacy experience customers depend on."
The new delivery option reinforces Kroger's commitment to meeting customers where they are, whether in store or online, with convenient access to food, pharmacy services and everyday essentials they need.
For Boost by Kroger Plus members, the new service is even more convenient, offering members exclusive discounts, 2x Points, streaming options and free grocery and prescription delivery on eligible orders. Customers can learn more about Boost memberships at Kroger.com/membership.
*Prescription delivery requires enrollment in My Prescriptions and Online Pay. Prescription delivery eligibility may vary by medication type, delivery address type or local regulations. Age restrictions and other restrictions and exclusions apply. See Pharmacy for details.
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies more than 400,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an eCommerce experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
About Instacart
Instacart is a leading grocery technology company that partners with more than 2,200 retail banners – representing nearly 100,000 stores – to transform how people shop for the groceries they need from the retailers they trust, while creating flexible earning opportunities for shoppers. Through the Instacart Marketplace, Instacart Enterprise platform, and Instacart Ads ecosystem, the company powers ecommerce, fulfillment, in-store technology, AI offerings, and advertising for partners. For more information, visit www.instacart.com/company. Maplebear Inc. is the registered corporate name of Instacart.
Burlington, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 24, 2026) - Promino Nutritional Sciences Inc. (CSE: MUSL) (OTC: MUSLF) (FSE: 93X) ("Promino" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Rejuvenate Muscle Health™ Raspberry Burst 14-count will launch in 662 Kroger stores as part of a 90-day pharmacy test focused on consumers using GLP-1 medications for weight management.
Kroger has issued the initial purchase order, with product expected on shelves in participating stores before September 1, 2026. Rejuvenate will be merchandised in dedicated six-unit pharmacy counter displays, highlighting its muscle-health benefits and differentiated nutritional profile. The agreement is material to Promino's Q3 revenue. The 90-day test results will determine continued listing and customer re-orders.
Rejuvenate Muscle Health™ delivers essential amino acids to support muscle health, maintenance and recovery in a light, easy-to-consume drink. Each serving is plant-based, dairy-free, zero sugar, contains just five calories and includes 1,000 IU of vegan Vitamin D3. The product provides an alternative for consumers seeking muscle and protein nutritional support without the calories, dairy or heavy texture associated with many conventional protein shakes.
Kroger developed the initiative to test products aligned with the nutritional priorities of consumers using GLP-1 medications for weight management, including support for maintaining lean muscle, and selected Rejuvenate Muscle Health™ as one of the products for evaluation.
"This Kroger program puts Rejuvenate directly in front of GLP-1 consumers at a highly relevant point of purchase," said Janice Day, Chief Sales Officer of Promino. "It is an important step in expanding our U.S. retail footprint and our muscle-health positioning."
The program supports Promino's broader strategy to build Rejuvenate across the weight management, healthy aging and everyday muscle-health markets while expanding U.S. retail distribution.
About The Kroger Co.
The Kroger Co., headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the largest food retailers in the United States, serving millions of customers through its family of grocery stores, pharmacies and digital platforms.
About Promino Nutritional Sciences Inc.
Promino Nutritional Sciences is a Canadian innovation company focused on science-based, clinically proven nutrition for muscle health and recovery. Its core product, Rejuvenate Muscle Health™, is a clinically researched proprietary amino acid formula designed to rebuild, restore, and rejuvenate muscle tissue.
The Company also produces Promino™ - NSF Certified for Sport®, trusted by elite athletes. Promino's ambassadors include MLB legend José Bautista.
Learn more at www.drinkpromino.com and www.drinkrej.com.
For further information about Promino:
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the success of the Kroger program. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions made by management that the Company believes to be reasonable in the circumstances. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation: risk factors described in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, including the Company's most recent management's discussion and analysis. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities laws.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/310949
Source: Promino Nutritional Sciences, Inc.
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Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) during the undefined quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 3,515,822 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $195,234,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp owned approximately
Callan Family Office LLC bought a new position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 46,834 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,601,000.
Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in Kroger by 27.3% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,733 shares of the company’s stock valued at $962,000 after purchasing an additional 3,373 shares in the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP raised its stake in shares of Kroger by 40.7% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 56,243 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,807,000 after purchasing an additional 16,270 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Kroger by 11.5% in the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,288 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,978,000 after buying an additional 10,051 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC bought a new position in shares of Kroger in the second quarter valued at $1,840,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Kroger News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:
Positive Sentiment: Kroger’s dividend profile continues to attract attention from income-focused investors. Analysts reviewing the stock highlight its potential appeal as a dividend investment, which could support demand for the shares. Kroger Could Be a Great Choice Positive Sentiment: The company is expanding its Fold Bitcoin Gift Card offering after a successful pilot, adding another digital and cryptocurrency-related feature for customers. The initiative is strategically positive but is unlikely to materially affect near-term financial results. Kroger Expands Fold Bitcoin Gift Card Offering Positive Sentiment: Kroger is unveiling a remodeled store in Worthington, Ohio, reflecting continued investment in store quality and the customer experience. Kroger to Unveil Remodeled Store Neutral Sentiment: An ice cream brand sold at Kroger and other retailers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing concerns the supplier’s ownership and future rather than Kroger’s finances, so the direct impact on KR appears limited. Ice Cream Brand Files for Chapter 11 Neutral Sentiment: Kroger’s annual food-bank and peanut-butter donation efforts may support community goodwill but should have little direct effect on valuation. Kroger Holds Peanut Butter Drive Neutral Sentiment: Cincinnati officials limited protests near Kroger’s headquarters following complaints from a nearby small-business owner. The development reduces immediate disruption but highlights ongoing local tensions. Cincinnati Limits Kroger HQ Protests Negative Sentiment: Kroger plans to close 60 stores during 2026. Although closures could improve the portfolio by removing underperforming locations, the scale of the reductions raises concerns about sales, market presence and restructuring costs. Kroger to Shutter 60 Stores Negative Sentiment: Kroger faces a proposed $17 million class-action settlement involving pharmacy customers who used insurance for prescriptions. The settlement would create a financial cost and adds legal and reputational risk, though the amount is modest relative to Kroger’s scale. Kroger Pharmacy Settlement Negative Sentiment: Kroger agreed to pay $75,000 to resolve an EEOC disability-discrimination and retaliation lawsuit. The payment is financially immaterial but adds to legal and compliance headlines. Kroger EEOC Lawsuit Settlement Kroger Stock Up 2.7% KR opened at $57.86 on Friday. The Kroger Co. has a 1-year low of $54.15 and a 1-year high of $76.58. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $57.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $64.71. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43. The stock has a market cap of $35.45 billion, a PE ratio of 34.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.43. Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) 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). Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The company had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.59 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.49 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 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 dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This is a positive change from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger’s payout ratio is presently 91.76%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades KR has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, June 20th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $80.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Barclays set a $61.00 price objective on shares of Kroger and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, UBS Group set a $63.00 target price on shares of Kroger and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $72.00.
View Our Latest Analysis on Kroger
Kroger 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.
Read More Five stocks we like better than Kroger 2 Biotech Stocks Shaping Up for Major Breakouts 3 Stocks Came Roaring Back—Now They’re Flashing Warning Signs 3 Beaten-Down Stocks That Haven’t Gotten the Message About the S&P 500’s Record Run Darden Restaurants Just Hit a 52-Week High–Is the Olive Garden Comeback Story Legit? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report).
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EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 32,754 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,819,000.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its position in shares of Kroger by 27.3% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,733 shares of the company’s stock valued at $962,000 after acquiring an additional 3,373 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP grew its holdings in Kroger by 40.7% during the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 56,243 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,807,000 after purchasing an additional 16,270 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Kroger in the second quarter valued at approximately $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in Kroger by 11.5% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,288 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,978,000 after purchasing an additional 10,051 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC acquired a new stake in Kroger in the second quarter worth $1,840,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
More Kroger News Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:
Positive Sentiment: Kroger’s dividend profile continues to attract attention from income-focused investors. Analysts reviewing the stock highlight its potential appeal as a dividend investment, which could support demand for the shares. Kroger Could Be a Great Choice Positive Sentiment: The company is expanding its Fold Bitcoin Gift Card offering after a successful pilot, adding another digital and cryptocurrency-related feature for customers. The initiative is strategically positive but is unlikely to materially affect near-term financial results. Kroger Expands Fold Bitcoin Gift Card Offering Positive Sentiment: Kroger is unveiling a remodeled store in Worthington, Ohio, reflecting continued investment in store quality and the customer experience. Kroger to Unveil Remodeled Store Neutral Sentiment: An ice cream brand sold at Kroger and other retailers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing concerns the supplier’s ownership and future rather than Kroger’s finances, so the direct impact on KR appears limited. Ice Cream Brand Files for Chapter 11 Neutral Sentiment: Kroger’s annual food-bank and peanut-butter donation efforts may support community goodwill but should have little direct effect on valuation. Kroger Holds Peanut Butter Drive Neutral Sentiment: Cincinnati officials limited protests near Kroger’s headquarters following complaints from a nearby small-business owner. The development reduces immediate disruption but highlights ongoing local tensions. Cincinnati Limits Kroger HQ Protests Negative Sentiment: Kroger plans to close 60 stores during 2026. Although closures could improve the portfolio by removing underperforming locations, the scale of the reductions raises concerns about sales, market presence and restructuring costs. Kroger to Shutter 60 Stores Negative Sentiment: Kroger faces a proposed $17 million class-action settlement involving pharmacy customers who used insurance for prescriptions. The settlement would create a financial cost and adds legal and reputational risk, though the amount is modest relative to Kroger’s scale. Kroger Pharmacy Settlement Negative Sentiment: Kroger agreed to pay $75,000 to resolve an EEOC disability-discrimination and retaliation lawsuit. The payment is financially immaterial but adds to legal and compliance headlines. Kroger EEOC Lawsuit Settlement Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on KR. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $80.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $71.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 target price on Kroger in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings downgraded Kroger from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $72.00. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Kroger
Kroger Stock Performance Shares of KR opened at $57.86 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.79. The Kroger Co. has a twelve month low of $54.15 and a twelve month high of $76.58. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $57.88 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $64.71. The firm has a market cap of $35.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.04, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.43.
Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly 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). Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. The company had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.49 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 EPS for the current fiscal 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 paid a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This is a boost from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 91.76%.
About Kroger (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.
Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Kroger 2 Biotech Stocks Shaping Up for Major Breakouts 3 Stocks Came Roaring Back—Now They’re Flashing Warning Signs 3 Beaten-Down Stocks That Haven’t Gotten the Message About the S&P 500’s Record Run Darden Restaurants Just Hit a 52-Week High–Is the Olive Garden Comeback Story Legit?
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Allworth Financial LP purchased a new position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 38,687 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,148,000.
A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in KR. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new stake in Kroger during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Kroger in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Kroger in the first quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Kroger Stock Up 2.7% Shares of NYSE:KR opened at $57.86 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $57.88 and its 200-day moving average is $64.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.79. The Kroger Co. has a 52 week low of $54.15 and a 52 week high of $76.58. The company has a market capitalization of $35.45 billion, a PE ratio of 34.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.43.
Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.59 by ($0.01). Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. The firm had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.59 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.49 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Kroger Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be issued 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 2.7%. This is an increase from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger’s payout ratio is currently 91.76%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently commented on KR shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $82.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a report on Friday, June 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, June 11th. Telsey Advisory Group set a $78.00 target price on shares of Kroger and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Erste Group Bank lowered shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. Finally, Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $78.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Kroger currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $72.00.
View Our Latest Report on KR
Kroger News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:
Positive Sentiment: Kroger’s dividend profile continues to attract attention from income-focused investors. Analysts reviewing the stock highlight its potential appeal as a dividend investment, which could support demand for the shares. Kroger Could Be a Great Choice Positive Sentiment: The company is expanding its Fold Bitcoin Gift Card offering after a successful pilot, adding another digital and cryptocurrency-related feature for customers. The initiative is strategically positive but is unlikely to materially affect near-term financial results. Kroger Expands Fold Bitcoin Gift Card Offering Positive Sentiment: Kroger is unveiling a remodeled store in Worthington, Ohio, reflecting continued investment in store quality and the customer experience. Kroger to Unveil Remodeled Store Neutral Sentiment: An ice cream brand sold at Kroger and other retailers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing concerns the supplier’s ownership and future rather than Kroger’s finances, so the direct impact on KR appears limited. Ice Cream Brand Files for Chapter 11 Neutral Sentiment: Kroger’s annual food-bank and peanut-butter donation efforts may support community goodwill but should have little direct effect on valuation. Kroger Holds Peanut Butter Drive Neutral Sentiment: Cincinnati officials limited protests near Kroger’s headquarters following complaints from a nearby small-business owner. The development reduces immediate disruption but highlights ongoing local tensions. Cincinnati Limits Kroger HQ Protests Negative Sentiment: Kroger plans to close 60 stores during 2026. Although closures could improve the portfolio by removing underperforming locations, the scale of the reductions raises concerns about sales, market presence and restructuring costs. Kroger to Shutter 60 Stores Negative Sentiment: Kroger faces a proposed $17 million class-action settlement involving pharmacy customers who used insurance for prescriptions. The settlement would create a financial cost and adds legal and reputational risk, though the amount is modest relative to Kroger’s scale. Kroger Pharmacy Settlement Negative Sentiment: Kroger agreed to pay $75,000 to resolve an EEOC disability-discrimination and retaliation lawsuit. The payment is financially immaterial but adds to legal and compliance headlines. Kroger EEOC Lawsuit Settlement Kroger 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.
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Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.
While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.
Kroger (KR - Free Report) is headquartered in Cincinnati, and is in the Retail-Wholesale sector. The stock has seen a price change of -9.94% since the start of the year. The supermarket chain is paying out a dividend of $0.39 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 2.77% compared to the Retail - Supermarkets industry's yield of 2.12% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.32%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $1.56 is up 16.4% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Kroger has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 16.19%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Kroger's current payout ratio is 28%, meaning it paid out 28% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Earnings growth looks solid for KR for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $5.21 per share, with earnings expected to increase 7.42% from the year ago period.
Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.
For instance, it's a rare occurrence when a tech start-up or big growth business offers its shareholders a dividend. It's more common to see larger companies with more established profits give out dividends. During periods of rising interest rates, income investors must be mindful that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle. With that in mind, KR is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sell-side) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter?
Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about Kroger (KR - Free Report) .
Kroger currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 2.00, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 22 brokerage firms. An ABR of 2.00 indicates Buy.
Of the 22 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 11 are Strong Buy, representing 50% of all recommendations.
Brokerage Recommendation Trends for KR
Check price target & stock forecast for Kroger here>>>
While the ABR calls for buying Kroger, it may not be wise to make an investment decision solely based on this information. Several studies have shown limited to no success of brokerage recommendations in guiding investors to pick stocks with the best price increase potential.
Are you wondering why? The vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover often results in a strong positive bias of their analysts in rating it. Our research shows that for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations.
This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock's future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.
Zacks Rank Should Not Be Confused With ABRIn spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures.
Broker recommendations are the sole basis for calculating the ABR, which is typically displayed in decimals (such as 1.28). The Zacks Rank, on the other hand, is a quantitative model designed to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.
It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them.
On the other hand, earnings estimate revisions are at the core of the Zacks Rank. And empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.
There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices.
Should You Invest in KR?In terms of earnings estimate revisions for Kroger, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has remained unchanged over the past month at $5.21.
Analysts' steady views regarding the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by an unchanged consensus estimate, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Kroger. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
It may therefore be prudent to be a little cautious with the Buy-equivalent ABR for Kroger.
Bonfire Financial purchased a new stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 21,040 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,168,000. Kroger comprises approximately 0.8% of Bonfire Financial’s portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position.
Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in KR. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in Kroger by 27.3% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,733 shares of the company’s stock valued at $962,000 after purchasing an additional 3,373 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP grew its position in Kroger by 40.7% in the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 56,243 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,807,000 after buying an additional 16,270 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Kroger in the second quarter valued at $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Kroger by 11.5% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,288 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,978,000 after buying an additional 10,051 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,840,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the company’s stock.
Kroger Stock Up 0.6% Shares of Kroger stock opened at $56.39 on Wednesday. The Kroger Co. has a 1 year low of $54.15 and a 1 year high of $76.58. The company has a market cap of $34.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.17, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $58.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $64.84.
Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) last released 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 business had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. The company’s revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.49 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 EPS for the current fiscal year. Kroger Increases Dividend The business 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 $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This is a positive change from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger’s payout ratio is currently 91.76%.
Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on KR shares. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Barclays set a $61.00 price target on Kroger and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, June 1st. UBS Group set a $63.00 price objective on Kroger and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $82.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, June 19th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $72.00.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis 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.
Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Kroger The AI Boom Is Turning This Cable Maker Into a Stock to Watch A Star Investor Just Trimmed Amazon—Here’s What It means Wendy’s Deal Buzz May Give Fast-Food Investors a New Reason to Look Home Depot Analysts See a Path to $375 and Beyond Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report).
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Initial Seasonal Pilot Demonstrated Strong Interest Among Kroger Customers for the Fold Bitcoin Gift Card Reinforcing Fold's Momentum with a Major Retail Distributor Initial Seasonal Pilot Demonstrated Strong Interest Among Kroger Customers for the Fold Bitcoin Gift Card Reinforcing Fold's Momentum with a Major Retail Distributor
The one thing that makes buying a high-yielding stock even better is buying it at a reduced price. Then, not only is it possible to benefit from the yield being higher than normal, but it can also set investors up for capital gains in the future, if the stock is able to rebound.
Three dividend stocks that pay above-average yields and that are trading near their 52-week lows right now are Kroger (KR +1.32%), Duke Energy (DUK +0.92%), and McDonald's (MCD +1.01%). Here's why now may be the time to pounce on these cheap-looking stocks.
Image source: Getty Images.
KrogerLeading grocery company Kroger makes for a terrific long-term investment. It generates plenty of recurring, consistent income, and the stock also offers a decent yield of 2.6% -- more than double the S&P 500 average of 1%.
Kroger's stock has fallen about 9% this year, now trading just a few dollars above its 52-week low of $54.15. It's admittedly not a terribly exciting stock to own, especially when the market is fully entrenched in tech these days and the opportunities related to artificial intelligence. A solid company such as Kroger may simply not be at the top of investors' lists.
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However, the business is doing well and is what you would expect from a top grocer with slow but steady operations. During the first quarter of its fiscal year (the period ended on May 23), the company's sales were up slightly, from $45.1 billion in the prior-year period to $46.1 billion. Nothing terribly exciting, but that's the kind of stability that dividend investors often seek out from a reliable dividend investment.
Trading at just under 11 times its estimated future earnings, based on analyst expectations, Kroger makes for a compelling income stock to own today.
Duke EnergyAnother attractive option for income investors is Duke Energy, an energy company that provides essential gas and electric services to millions of customers across the country. This is another business that may not be all that exciting, but like Kroger, it's precisely the type of investment that can appeal to dividend investors who want to keep their risk fairly low. Currently, it's yielding 3.5%.
In its most recent quarter, which went up until the end of June, Duke Energy's operating revenue showed minimal growth, rising from $7.5 billion to just under $7.6 billion for the period. Operating income of just over $2 billion showed a more meaningful increase from $1.8 billion in the prior-year period.
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Although the stock is up around 7% this year, it's still trading within about 10% of its 52-week low of $113.90. Admittedly, however, it generally doesn't move too wildly in either direction, as it is a low-volatility stock, which is another reason it can make an ideal income investment to buy and hold for the long haul.
McDonald'sFast-food company McDonald's doesn't sell essential groceries or services like the other stocks on this list, but it still has a loyal customer base that helps keep its financial results strong.
During the June quarter, it reported $7.1 billion in revenue, which was up a modest 4% year over year. Net income of $2.4 billion grew at a slightly higher rate of 5%. Investors, however, may have been unimpressed with the 0.8% comparable sales growth it reported in the U.S. market.
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This year, McDonald's stock is down 12%, pushing its yield up to around 2.8%. It's not a terribly high payout, but the value investors get from the stock is from buying and holding, as McDonald's has increased its dividend for 49 consecutive years. Its strong financials and consistent but stable growth make it an enticing option for dividend-focused investors.
The stock is trading around $270, which isn't far from its 52-week low of $260.96. For long-term investors, now may be an opportune time to invest in this iconic company.
The Kroger Co. trades at an attractive 11x forward earnings after a post-Q1 pullback, improving its long-term risk/reward profile. Q1 results showed slower sales and margin compression, but e-commerce and private brands delivered strong growth and profitability. KR raised its dividend by 11.4% and announced a $2 billion buyback, supported by a strong balance sheet and conservative payout ratios.
CINCINNATI, Aug. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced today it will host its second quarter 2026 earnings conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on Friday, September 11, 2026.
Kroger (KR - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $57.23, moving +2.09% from the previous trading session. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.65% gain on the day. At the same time, the Dow added 0.13%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.81%.
The supermarket chain's shares have seen a decrease of 0.88% over the last month, not keeping up with the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 4.78% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.38%.
Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Kroger in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $1.05, showcasing a 0.96% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $34.78 billion, up 2.47% from the year-ago period.
Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $5.21 per share and revenue of $151.36 billion, indicating changes of +7.42% and +2.52%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Kroger should also be noted by investors. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained steady. At present, Kroger boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
With respect to valuation, Kroger is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 10.76. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 14.76, so one might conclude that Kroger is trading at a discount comparatively.
One should further note that KR currently holds a PEG ratio of 1.5. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. KR's industry had an average PEG ratio of 2.04 as of yesterday's close.
The Retail - Supermarkets industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 205, finds itself in the bottom 17% echelons of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow KR in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
Fresh South Carolina peaches help fight hunger across the Carolinas through annual donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Harris Teeter and Titan Farms are celebrating the 13th year of their Peaches with a Purpose campaign, a longstanding partnership dedicated to increasing access to fresh, nutritious food for families facing hunger. This year, the organizations will donate 37,800 pounds of fresh peaches to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina for distribution across the communities it serves. Since the campaign began in 2013, Titan Farms has donated an average of 35,000 pounds of peaches annually, helping provide fresh produce to neighbors in need throughout the region.
Harris Teeter and Titan Farms Celebrate Annual Peaches with a Purpose Campaign
"We're proud to continue this meaningful partnership with Titan Farms and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina," said Danna Robinson, director of corporate affairs and customer relations for Harris Teeter. "Access to fresh produce remains a significant need for many families. Through Peaches with a Purpose, we're able to help provide nutritious food while supporting the communities we call home."
In August, Salem Transportation will once again donate its time and transportation services to deliver Titan Farms peaches from South Carolina to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Their continued support helps ensure thousands of pounds of fresh fruit reach families across the region.
"For more than a decade, our partnership with Harris Teeter has allowed us to transform simple grocery purchases into genuine community impact," said Chalmers Carr, CEO of Titan Farms. "Fresh produce forms the foundation of healthy nutrition in food bank programs, and we're proud to provide our neighbors with the same high-quality, delicious peaches that grace family tables across the region. This campaign represents our shared commitment to ensuring no family goes without access to fresh, nutritious food."
For more information, visit harristeeter.com and stay connected on Instagram and Facebook.
ABOUT HARRIS TEETER
For more than 65 years, Harris Teeter, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), has enriched lives – one meal, one family, one associate, and one community at a time. Headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina, Harris Teeter employs 36,000 valued associates across more than 250 stores and 85 fuel centers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida, and the District of Columbia.
ABOUT TITAN FARMS
Founded in 1999 by Chalmers and Lori Anne Carr, Titan Farms has grown into one of the nation's leading growers, packers, and shippers of fresh peaches and vegetables. Committed to delivering exceptional quality, the company maintains rigorous standards to ensure its produce consistently reflects freshness and excellence. Today, Titan Farms stands as the largest peach grower on the East Coast, with more than 6,200 acres of peaches, along with 250 acres of bell peppers and 350 acres of broccoli. The family-run operation's continued growth is strengthened by a seasoned workforce, with many long-tenured employees serving as a cornerstone of Titan Farms' success.
Kroger has closed at least three dozen stores since announcing plans last year to shutter 60 locations that were not "delivering sustainable results" by the end of 2026.
The Cincinnati-based grocery giant did not release a full list of stores or banners slated for closure, but online searches listed 39 locations across nine banners as no longer operating. Local reports also confirmed that many of the locations were part of the broader store overhaul.
As of January 2026, Kroger operated 2,697 supermarkets across 35 states under roughly 20 banners, including Fred Meyer, Fry’s Food and Drug, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Pick ’n Save, QFC and Ralphs, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
The company said the closures are intended to help it "run more efficiently and ensure the long-term health of our business," according to FOX 26 Houston, which reported that two Houston-area locations were slated to close in April.
KROGER TO BUY POPULAR GROCERY AND PHARMACY RETAILER IN $1.65B DEAL
A Kroger grocery store in Dallas. (Shelby Tauber/Bloomberg via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)
The closures come as Kroger announced plans last month to acquire regional grocery chain Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, which would add another 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.
The acquisition is expected to strengthen Kroger’s presence across several Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic markets.
At least three of the impacted locations were or are expected to be replaced by Kroger Marketplace stores as part of the company’s efforts to consolidate operations. Kroger Marketplace stores are larger-format locations that offer an expanded selection of non-grocery merchandise, including clothing, toys, home goods and furniture.
The impacted locations include:
KrogerAtlanta, Georgia — 2452 Morosgo Way NEBrookhaven, Georgia — 3855 Buford Hwy. NEDecatur, Georgia — 3479 Memorial Dr.Alpharetta, Georgia — 11877 Douglas Rd.Peoria, Illinois — 3311 N Sterling Ave.South Bend, Indiana — 4526 W Western Ave.Elkhart, Indiana — 901 Johnson St.Louisville, Kentucky — 4211 S 3rd St.Bossier City, Louisiana — 4100 Barksdale BlvdKingsport, Tennessee — 1664 E Stone Dr.Houston, Texas — 239 W 20th St.Houston, Texas — 9325 Katy Fwy.Houston, Texas — 2300 Gessner Rd.McKinney, Texas — 2901 Lake Forest Drive (a new store is planned to replace this location nearby in 2027)Spring, Texas — 6060 Farm to Market 2920Charlottesville, Virginia — 1904 Emmet St. NAbingdon, Virginia — 466 Cummings St.Gassaway, West Virginia — 2908 State St.South Charleston, West Virginia — 5 River Walk Mall (consolidated last June into a new Kroger Marketplace at 3060 Ray Park Blvd.)Dunbar, West Virginia — 981 Dunbar Village (consolidated last June into a new Kroger Marketplace at 3060 Ray Park Blvd.)SEPHORA JOINS WALMART, TARGET WITH NEW ‘QUIET HOURS’ SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Giant Eagle operates about 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. (Allison Farrand/Bloomberg via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)
Fred MeyerTacoma, Washington — 7250 Pacific Ave.Fry’s Food and DrugMesa, Arizona — 1915 S Power Rd.Harris TeeterArlington, Virginia — 950 S George Mason Dr.Arlington, Virginia — 3600 S Glebe Rd. W100McLean, Virginia — 8200 Crestwood Heights Dr.Rockville, Maryland — 11845 Old Georgetown Rd.Raleigh, North Carolina — 5563 Western Blvd., Suite 6ACharlotte, North Carolina — 5706 Wyalong Dr.Ticker Security Last Change Change % KR THE KROGER CO. 56.06 -0.19 -0.34% Jay C Food StoresShoals, Indiana — 201 High St.King SoopersCentennial, Colorado — 5050 E Arapahoe Rd.Mariano’sBuffalo Grove, Illinois — 450 W Half Day Rd.Northbrook, Illinois — 2323 Capital Dr.Bloomingdale, Illinois — 144 S Gary Ave. At least six Harris Teeter locations recently closed as part of Kroger's broader company overhaul. (Laura Kalcheff/Corey Lowenstein/Raleigh News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)
Pick ’n SaveGlendale, Wisconsin — 1735 W Silver Spring Dr.Milwaukee, Wisconsin — 3701 S 27th St.Milwaukee, Wisconsin — 2355 N 35th St.Oak Creek, Wisconsin — 2320 W Ryan Rd.South Milwaukee, Wisconsin — 2931 S Chicago Ave.QFCMill Creek, Washington — 926 164th St. SECLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO
FOX Business reached out to Kroger for more information.
Featuring eight-time James Beard Award-winning Chef Tom Colicchio
, /PRNewswire/ -- Harris Teeter is proud to announce the return of its signature Chef's Best fundraiser, supporting Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in their mission to end hunger. This year's event promises an unforgettable evening featuring cuisine crafted by acclaimed chef, restaurateur, author, television personality, and advocate Tom Colicchio. Guests will enjoy an exceptional culinary experience alongside live entertainment, auctions and raffles.
Chef's Best 2026 Poster Chef's Best is the largest single-day fundraising event supporting Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, and Harris Teeter is proud to bring together our vendor partners in support of this mission. Thanks to their generosity, Harris Teeter raised over $621,000 at the 2025 event, helping provide critical meals and resources to neighbors facing food insecurity.
Every dollar raised through Chef's Best directly supports Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina's mission to eliminate hunger throughout 24 counties across North Carolina and South Carolina. In fiscal year 2025-2026, the Food Bank distributed over 93 million pounds of food, with over 60% of their annual distribution being fresh produce, meat, and dairy.
"Food insecurity affects too many families in our region, and events like Chef's Best demonstrate the power of our community coming together to make a difference," said Danna Robinson, director of corporate affairs and customer relations at Harris Teeter. "We're grateful for our longstanding partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and for the incredible support of our vendors, customers and community partners. Together, we are helping provide critical resources to our neighbors facing hunger."
This year's featured chef, Tom Colicchio, is an eight-time James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and television personality. He is the owner of Crafted Hospitality, whose restaurant portfolio includes Craft, Craftsteak, Temple Court, Vallata and Small Batch. Colicchio made his mark in New York City's culinary scene before opening the renowned Craft in 2001 and has since become one of the most influential voices in the food industry.
In addition to his culinary achievements, Colicchio is widely recognized as the head judge and executive producer of Bravo's Emmy Award-winning series Top Chef. A passionate advocate for food access and hunger relief, he executive produced the acclaimed documentary A Place at the Table, which explores food insecurity in America. His commitment to creating a more equitable food system has led him to work alongside policymakers and advocacy organizations focused on improving access to nutritious food for families across the country.
For more information, visit chefsbestcharlotte.org.
ABOUT HARRIS TEETER
For more than 60 years, Harris Teeter, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), has enriched lives – one meal, one family, one associate, and one community at a time. Headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina, Harris Teeter employs 36,000 valued associates across more than 250 stores and 85 fuel centers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida, and the District of Columbia.
CINCINNATI, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) today announced that Nate Faust will join the company as Executive Vice President and Chief eCommerce Officer, effective September 1, 2026. Faust brings more than two decades of experience building and scaling highly impactful eCommerce businesses, most recently at Olive creating a waste-free delivery and returns experience for brands like Rhone, Cynthia Rowley and Rent the Runway.
In the latest close session, Kroger (KR - Free Report) was down 1.92% at $56.68. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.17%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.49%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.83%.
Coming into today, shares of the supermarket chain had lost 1.28% in the past month. In that same time, the Retail-Wholesale sector gained 7.52%, while the S&P 500 gained 3.52%.
Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Kroger in its upcoming earnings disclosure. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $1.05, marking a 0.96% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $34.78 billion, up 2.47% from the prior-year quarter.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.21 per share and a revenue of $151.36 billion, representing changes of +7.42% and +2.81%, respectively, from the prior year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Kroger. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.
Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.04% decrease. Kroger presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
In terms of valuation, Kroger is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 11.09. This denotes a discount relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 15.01.
Also, we should mention that KR has a PEG ratio of 1.55. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. The average PEG ratio for the Retail - Supermarkets industry stood at 2.01 at the close of the market yesterday.
The Retail - Supermarkets industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 226, which puts it in the bottom 9% of all 250+ industries.
The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.
Ukrop Homestyle Foods, a Virginia-based food manufacturer that makes prepared comfort food and bakery items, just issued a voluntary recall of six of its products.
According to the company, which made the announcement on July 30, the recall was triggered after a piece of aluminum—described as a “sliver” in the notice—was found in a baking pan used to prepare the products.
A customer also reported finding a piece of aluminum in one of the products. However, no injuries have been reported.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted the notice over the weekend.
Where were the products sold?The products were sold at Wegmans, Food Lion, Kroger, Libbie Market, Publix, Harris Teeter, 25th Street Market, as well as some military retail locations in Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia. The products were also sold via online sales.
Which products were impacted?The six recalled products are as follows:
Ukrop’s Baked Spaghetti – Bulk, 62.4-oz aluminum pan with plastic overwrap with a UPC number of 72251529211. Ukrop’s Baked Spaghetti, 14.8-oz cardboard tray with plastic overwrap with a UPC number of 72251528211. Ukrop’s Chicken Cobbler – Bulk, 48-oz aluminum pan with plastic overwrap with a UPC number of 72251529457. Ukrop’s Chicken Cobbler, 11.6-oz cardboard tray with plastic overwrap with a UPC number of 72251528457. Ukrop’s Bread Pudding with vanilla sauce with a UPC number of 72251528044. Ukrop’s Bread Pudding with vanilla sauce kits with a UPC number of 72251591732. Ukrop’s says that retail locations have been notified and the impacted products have been removed from shelves. Still, customers should check the “Best by” dates on the recalled products, which range from July 6, 2026, through August 5, 2026.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Harris Teeter announced today that customers can now receive prescriptions and groceries together powered by Instacart, expanding its delivery services to offer more convenient ways to receive eligible prescriptions.
With this new delivery option, customers can have prescriptions delivered combined with a grocery order and delivered right to their door. Available through the Harris Teeter app and online, the service gives customers added flexibility to take care of their health and grocery needs at the same time.
Harris Teeter storefront "Combining pharmacy services into the everyday shopping experience makes it possible for more families to manage their health in a convenient and efficient way," said Lindsay Cappoziello, senior director of health and wellness for Harris Teeter. "This launch offers more delivery options for certain prescriptions filled by the same Harris Teeter pharmacy teams that customers know and trust."
Customers can place their orders online or through the Harris Teeter app, making it easier to access fresh food, everyday essentials and eligible prescriptions* in one seamless experience.
The new delivery option reinforces Harris Teeter's commitment to meeting customers where they are – in store, online or at home – with convenient access to the food and eligible prescriptions they need.
*Prescription delivery requires enrollment in 'My Prescriptions' and Online Pay. Prescription delivery eligibility may vary by medication type, delivery address type, or local regulations. Age restrictions and other restrictions and exclusions apply. See Pharmacy for details.
For more information, visit harristeeter.com and stay connected on Instagram and Facebook.
About Harris Teeter
For more than 65 years, Harris Teeter, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), has enriched lives – one meal, one family, one associate, and one community at a time. Headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina, Harris Teeter employs 36,000 valued associates across more than 250 stores and 85 fuel centers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida, and the District of Columbia.
Investors in The Kroger Co. (KR - Free Report) need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the July 31, 2026 $73 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.
What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.
What do the Analysts Think?Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Kroger shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Kroger is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Retail – Supermarkets industry that ranks in the Bottom 7% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, seven analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the to-be-reported quarter, while none dropped the estimates. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter from $1.18 per share to $1.19 in that period.
Given the way analysts feel about Kroger right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.
First Trust Advisors LP decreased its position in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) by 52.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 173,307 shares of the company’s stock after selling 190,677 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LP’s holdings in Kroger were worth $12,540,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Kroger during the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new position in Kroger in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Kroger in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Kroger by 268.1% during the fourth quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the first quarter valued at about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group set a $63.00 price target on Kroger and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Erste Group Bank downgraded Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $82.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, June 19th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, June 1st. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $72.00.
Read Our Latest Research Report on Kroger
Key Kroger News Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:
Positive Sentiment: Kroger is expanding its store footprint, including a planned replacement store in Dunwoody, Georgia, and a roughly $40 million location in Little Elm, Texas. These investments could support long-term sales growth and market share. Dunwoody approves new Kroger store Kroger spends $40 million on new Little Elm store Positive Sentiment: A grocery price study ranked Kroger ahead of Walmart, Aldi and Albertsons, potentially reinforcing its value proposition as consumers remain price-sensitive. Kroger tops grocery price study Positive Sentiment: The company introduced an AI shopping assistant for meal planning, which could improve personalization, digital engagement and customer retention. Kroger debuts AI shopping assistant Neutral Sentiment: Broader investor interest is moving toward natural and health-focused food retailers, including Sprouts Farmers Market, United Natural Foods and Simply Good Foods. The trend may benefit grocery demand generally, but no specific Kroger earnings impact was reported. Natural foods stocks gain Negative Sentiment: A consumer group cited approximately 1,700 complaints alleging pricing discrepancies at Kroger stores. If substantiated, the issue could create reputational, regulatory and margin risks. Consumer group pricing discrepancy claims Negative Sentiment: Costco’s highly competitive, membership-driven gasoline model highlights pressure on traditional grocers’ fuel-loyalty programs and customer economics. This is an industry competitive concern rather than a direct Kroger announcement. How Costco engineered the perfect gas station Kroger Stock Down 3.2% Shares of Kroger stock opened at $57.97 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $60.06 and a 200 day moving average price of $65.38. The Kroger Co. has a fifty-two week low of $54.15 and a fifty-two week high of $76.58. The firm has a market cap of $35.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.10, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43.
Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 period in the prior 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 5.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Kroger Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. This is a boost from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 82.35%.
Kroger 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.
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In the latest trading session, Kroger (KR - Free Report) closed at $57.86, marking a -3.36% move from the previous day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 1.66%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 1.19%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 2.78%.
Shares of the supermarket chain witnessed a gain of 6.45% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Retail-Wholesale sector with its gain of 0.61%, and the S&P 500's loss of 1.49%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Kroger in its upcoming release. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $1.05, signifying a 0.96% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $34.78 billion, indicating a 2.47% upward movement from the same quarter last year.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.21 per share and revenue of $151.36 billion, which would represent changes of +7.42% and +2.52%, respectively, from the prior year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Kroger. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.
Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.04% lower. Kroger is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.
Looking at valuation, Kroger is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 11.49. This signifies a discount in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 14.96 for its industry.
One should further note that KR currently holds a PEG ratio of 1.61. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Retail - Supermarkets was holding an average PEG ratio of 2.01 at yesterday's closing price.
The Retail - Supermarkets industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 229, this industry ranks in the bottom 7% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.
Natural food products have become a mainstream part of consumer spending as health, nutrition and sustainability increasingly influence purchasing decisions. What was once viewed as a niche category has expanded into a broad market opportunity, supported by growing awareness of balanced diets and environmentally responsible consumption. Consumers across demographics are showing greater preference for products that align with healthier lifestyles, creating favorable demand trends for companies operating in the natural and better-for-you food space.
A key driver of this shift is the increasing focus on product transparency and ingredient quality. Buyers are paying closer attention to labels, favoring foods with recognizable ingredients, minimal processing, and attributes such as organic, non-GMO, and preservative-free formulations. As a result, clean-label offerings have evolved from a temporary consumer trend into a more durable purchasing behavior, encouraging food manufacturers and retailers to expand their portfolios of natural and health-focused products.
The industry is also benefiting from stronger food-labeling standards and broader public health initiatives that promote informed consumer choices. Companies that emphasize transparent sourcing, high product quality, ethical supply chains and sustainable production practices are strengthening brand credibility and customer loyalty. These advantages often support premium pricing, as consumers increasingly demonstrate a willingness to pay more for products they perceive as healthier, safer and responsibly produced, creating a favorable backdrop for natural food companies.
Companies like Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NGVC - Free Report) and The Kroger Co. (KR - Free Report) are strengthening their competitive positions by broadening product assortments, expanding private-label offerings and improving access to natural and organic foods across their store networks. Scale, sourcing capabilities and differentiated merchandising can help these companies capture a larger share of health-focused consumer spending while supporting customer retention and basket growth.
Future industry growth is likely to be shaped by product innovation and broader distribution. Investment in plant-based foods, functional nutrition, sustainable agriculture and digital commerce is enabling companies to reach new customer groups and respond more quickly to changing preferences. The expansion of online grocery platforms and convenient fulfillment options is also reducing barriers to purchase, making specialty products such as organic, gluten-free and nutrient-enhanced foods more accessible to a wider consumer base. The healthy food industry is projected to grow to $2,052.5 billion by 2035.
If you're looking to capitalize on this trend, our Natural Foods Screen makes it easy to identify high-potential stocks such as United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) , Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM - Free Report) and The Simply Good Foods Company (SMPL - Free Report) .
Explore 39 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Investing Screens and uncover your next big opportunity.
United Natural Foods occupies a unique position in the U.S. grocery ecosystem as the leading distributor serving natural, organic, specialty and differentiated food retailers. As consumer demand increasingly shifts toward healthier, sustainably sourced and wellness-oriented products, the company continues to strengthen its role in the natural and organic category. For the third quarter of fiscal 2026, UNFI reported natural product sales growth of more than 4%, outperforming the broader market and reflecting resilient shopper demand for natural, organic, fresh and specialty foods. Management emphasized that natural and organic retailers have nearly tripled their share of the U.S. grocery market over the past two decades, reinforcing the attractiveness of this segment. UNFI’s strategy centers on helping retailers differentiate through premium assortments and health-focused offerings, positioning the company to benefit from long-term category expansion.
UNFI is actively expanding its natural and organic ecosystem through merchandising innovation, supplier support and digital capabilities. A key initiative is the launch of its new digital marketplace, Endless Aisle, which enables retailers to access innovative emerging brands more efficiently while helping suppliers broaden distribution. The company also introduced more than 30 new private-brand SKUs during the quarter, enhancing retailers’ ability to differentiate their assortments and respond to growing consumer interest in nutritious and wellness-oriented products.
Through its extensive portfolio of natural, organic and specialty offerings, UNFI supports a wide range of customers, from dedicated natural food retailers to regional grocers seeking to strengthen their health-and-wellness credentials. Management noted that assortment optimization and access to natural and organic products remain central themes in conversations with customers pursuing differentiated retail strategies.
To support continued growth in natural and organic foods, UNFI is investing heavily in supply-chain modernization and technology-driven efficiency. The company expanded its AI-powered supply chain and procurement planning platform across its entire distribution center network, improving inventory management, fill rates and free-cash-flow conversion. It also broadened deployment of the Samsara fleet management platform and extended its cloud-based warehouse management system to five additional distribution centers. These initiatives contributed to higher service levels, including improved fill rates, stronger on-time deliveries and increased throughput. Management highlighted that underlying natural sales growth has consistently delivered mid-teens growth on a two-year stacked basis, demonstrating the durability of demand for natural and organic products.
This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company expects its growing wholesale pipeline, technology investments and focus on differentiated food retail to support continued expansion. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Sprouts Farmers has built its business around making natural, organic and better-for-you products accessible to a broader consumer base, positioning itself as a differentiated retailer in the healthy grocery space. Fresh produce remains at the center of its merchandising strategy, complemented by a growing assortment of organic, plant-based and gluten-free products designed to meet evolving consumer preferences. During the second quarter of 2026, management emphasized that its attribute-based assortment continued to resonate with shoppers despite a cautious spending environment. Organic products now account for more than 30% of total sales, while organic penetration exceeds 50% in the dairy and produce categories, highlighting the strength of the company’s natural and organic positioning. The Sprouts private-label brand also continued to outperform the broader business, contributing 26% of quarterly sales and reinforcing customer loyalty through differentiated, health-focused offerings.
Sprouts is sustaining its leadership in natural foods through continuous product innovation and exclusive brand partnerships. The company introduced approximately 1,300 new products during the second quarter, prioritizing attributes that resonate with wellness-focused consumers, including organic, seed oil-free, fiber-rich, gut-health and protein-oriented offerings. Exclusive products such as Pasturebird chicken, now available nationwide across Sprouts stores, alongside emerging brands like Better Than Pop and Soup Salt Shots, strengthen the retailer’s differentiated assortment. Management is also expanding healthy meal solutions through fresh deli offerings, $9.99 wellness bowls, affordable family meals and innovative Sprouts-branded products, including seed oil-free frozen potatoes and fresh organic sourdough bread. These initiatives are intended to combine affordability with product innovation, helping consumers maintain healthier eating habits without compromising value.
Beyond merchandising, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is investing in capabilities that strengthen its natural and organic ecosystem over the long term. The company continues to expand its loyalty and personalization platform, using first-party customer data to tailor promotions, improve product discovery and enhance marketing effectiveness. Supply-chain investments are also supporting its natural food strategy, with the Northern California distribution center now operational and nearly 85% of stores receiving fresh meat through Sprouts-operated distribution centers, improving freshness, service levels and cost efficiency. Management is extending self-distribution beyond produce and meat to selected Sprouts-brand products. Its aggressive store expansion program will broaden access to its natural and organic assortment. Together, these initiatives position Sprouts to deepen customer engagement, improve execution and support sustainable growth in the health-focused grocery market.
Simply Good Foods has positioned itself within the broader health and wellness movement by offering nutritious snacks that cater to consumers seeking high-protein, low-sugar, and clean-label alternatives. Management continues to view the purposeful nutrition category as an attractive long-term market, supported by enduring trends in health, wellness, and convenient nutrition rather than short-term consumer fads. The company believes its portfolio addresses distinct consumer needs through the Quest, Atkins, and OWYN brands, each targeting different wellness occasions.
Quest remains the company's largest growth engine. Atkins continues to serve weight-management consumers, while OWYN strengthens its presence in plant-based, clean-label nutrition. Management emphasized that the company's recent challenges stem primarily from execution rather than weakening demand, reinforcing confidence in the long-term growth opportunity for healthier food and beverage products.
Quest continues to anchor Simply Good Foods' strategy with products designed around better-for-you nutrition and evolving consumer preferences. The brand posted another increase in household penetration to 20.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, demonstrating continued consumer relevance despite softer overall performance. Quest chips remained a standout performer, with consumption increasing more than 17% as shoppers increasingly sought healthier salty snack alternatives. The milkshake business also recorded strong growth. Management is now concentrating on restoring momentum in its core protein bar franchise by improving innovation, refining product development around changing consumer preferences and strengthening brand communication.;
This Zacks Rank #3 company is also advancing its natural and clean-label portfolio through strategic investments in Atkins and OWYN while reshaping its broader growth platform. Management believes Atkins retains significant relevance in a GLP-1 environment by supporting consumers focused on weight management and intends to rebuild the brand through disciplined marketing and clearer consumer messaging. Meanwhile, OWYN remains central to the company's plant-based strategy despite recent execution challenges. Consumer research indicates that nearly 18% of U.S. households actively seek functional nutrition with plant-based protein and clean-label ingredients, providing a sizable growth runway. Following the completion of its distribution reset, Simply Good Foods plans to focus on its core ready-to-drink shakes and powder products through OWYN while increasing marketing to improve awareness, trial, and household penetration. Alongside continued investments in innovation, R&D, and brand building, these initiatives are expected to strengthen the company's health-focused portfolio over time.
Previously high-flying semiconductor stocks have plunged in recent days. Intensifying competition from Chinese chipmakers and mounting concerns that artificial intelligence (AI)-related spending may not produce its promised returns are prompting investors to seek shelter in more defensive businesses.
That's driving up the prices of dividend stocks like Kroger (KR +2.09%), Verizon (VZ +1.84%), and Costco Wholesale (COST +1.64%), all of which saw gains of roughly 2% on Tuesday.
Image source: Getty Images.
Shifting to defense Companies like Alphabet are being punished for stepping up their capital expenditures, as investors grow increasingly impatient with the ballooning spending plans of hyperscalers and other tech giants.
At the same time, tech leaders like ASML Holding, with competitive moats once thought to be unassailable, are facing new threats from upstarts in China and elsewhere.
In turn, investors who were previously gung-ho on AI stocks are now moving to dial back risk. That's leading many of them to more defensive dividend stocks.
3 dividend stocks to consider for your portfolio Costco's shares are up 13% so far in 2026. In today's inflationary economic environment, the warehouse store leader's well-curated merchandise, low prices, and treasure hunt-style shopping experience are resonating with bargain-focused shoppers.
Verizon's flat-rate unlimited mobile plans and bundled wireless and internet offerings are helping it win more subscribers. The telecom titan's free cash flow is up 16% in the first half of 2026, and its shares are up 19% so far this year.
Kroger benefits as people choose to dine at home rather than at restaurants. The grocery giant is cutting prices to boost sales. That's weighing on its margins. But with its shares down 6% in 2026 and trading at about 11 times forward earnings projections, Kroger's stock is approaching bargain territory.
Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends ASML, Alphabet, and Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool recommends Kroger and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
New Kroger AI Shopping Assistant helps customers make meal planning easier
, /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), America's grocer, is helping families transition out of summer and back into their routines with convenient dinner options and fresh ideas. To make it even easier, Kroger is launching its newest AI Shopping Assistant - a smarter, simpler way to plan meals, discover products and find value, however customers choose to shop.
New Kroger AI Shopping Assistant helps customers make meal planning easier The AI Shopping Assistant is now available across the Kroger Family of Companies websites and apps. This digital assistant combines the food knowledge customers expect from Kroger's friendly associates, all in an AI-powered tool.
"We continue to invest in digital tools that make shopping simpler, more intuitive and more convenient for our customers," said Yael Cosset, executive vice president and chief digital officer at Kroger. "The AI Shopping Assistant is another example of how we're using technology and AI to help families plan, discover and shop more easily."
As families prepare for the school year, customers can use the new Kroger AI Shopping Assistant to:
Plan meals for the week, find new recipes and build a cart around budget and dietary needs Snap a photo of a written list or recipe card, or paste a URL – the digital assistant finds the products and creates a cart in seconds Plan for any occasion – from weeknight dinners and tailgates to birthday parties – with tailored product suggestions and shopping lists Everyday Essentials for Your Routine
Kroger has everything families need to navigate the season and their meal decisions:
Quick Breakfast Solutions — Kroger® Sausage Egg and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Sandwich and Kroger® Protein Yogurt fuel busy mornings without the fuss Lunchbox Essentials — Kroger® Crustless Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Sandwiches, Simple Truth® Turkey and Cheese Lunchkit, Simple Truth Organic® Yogurt Tubes, Kroger® No Sugar Added Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches and Simple Truth® Fruit Strips take the guesswork out of what to pack Easy Weeknight Dinners — Private Selection® Korean Inspired Beef Bulgogi, Private Selection® Global Inspired Frozen Meals and Private Selection® or Kroger® Salad Kits make dinner easier even on the busiest nights Smart Snacking — Kroger® Potato Chip Variety Pack, Simple Truth Organic® Iced Oatmeal Cookie Baked Energy Bar, Simple Truth® Strawberry Kale Kids Juice Boxes, Kroger® Snack Trays and Kroger® Fruit Cups offer a convenient way to refuel after school or post-practice For more back-to-school essentials to help families get back into their routines, visit Kroger's blog, The Fresh Lane.
Kroger's portfolio of Our Brands products helps customers enjoy great-tasting food at an exceptional value. From breakfast and lunch to dinner and snacking, Our Brands means families can stretch their budgets without compromising on quality.
No matter how customers shop, Kroger makes it easy. Whether shopping in store, on Kroger.com or in the Kroger app, customers can enjoy the same fresh items at the same low prices. Simply place an order through the app or website and choose Pickup at a convenient store location or Delivery to your door in as little as 30 minutes. For even more convenience, Kroger's full product assortment is available on demand through DoorDash, Instacart and Uber Eats marketplaces, shopped from a local store and delivered directly to a customer's door.
Media assets available for download here.
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies more than 400,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an eCommerce experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
Cetera Investment Advisers lowered its holdings in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) by 17.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 311,154 shares of the company’s stock after selling 66,152 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers owned about 0.05% of Kroger worth $22,515,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new position in Kroger during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. 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 valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the first quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. purchased a new stake in Kroger during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently weighed in on KR. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Erste Group Bank cut shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target 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. Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $72.00.
View Our Latest Stock Report on Kroger
Kroger Price Performance KR opened at $57.99 on Tuesday. The Kroger Co. has a 52-week low of $54.15 and a 52-week high of $76.58. The company has a market cap of $35.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.11, a P/E/G ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.44. 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 company has a 50 day moving average of $60.65 and a two-hundred day moving average of $65.39.
Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.59 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.49 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. On average, analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current year.
Kroger Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. This is an increase from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 82.35%.
About Kroger (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.
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Kroger (KR - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $56.87, moving +1.99% from the previous trading session. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.05%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.46%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.64%.
Shares of the supermarket chain have depreciated by 3.48% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 0.78%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.61%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Kroger in its upcoming release. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $1.05, marking a 0.96% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $34.78 billion, up 2.47% from the year-ago period.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.21 per share and revenue of $151.36 billion, which would represent changes of +7.42% and +2.52%, respectively, from the prior year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Kroger. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.12% decrease. Kroger is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
In terms of valuation, Kroger is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 10.7. This denotes a discount relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 14.19.
Meanwhile, KR's PEG ratio is currently 1.5. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The Retail - Supermarkets was holding an average PEG ratio of 2.04 at yesterday's closing price.
The Retail - Supermarkets industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 223, putting it in the bottom 10% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.
Kroger Health dietitians share practical guidance for patients navigating weight-management treatment as part of Kroger's new GLP-1 Complete Support Program
, /PRNewswire/ -- GLP-1 medications are changing what is possible for many patients looking to manage their weight. To get the most out of this treatment, patients need more than a prescription.
"Patients need more than a prescription, they need ongoing support," said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. "Kroger Health GLP-1 Complete Support was created to help patients navigate affordability, nutrition and lifestyle changes with confidence."
Kroger Health dietitians work with patients at every stage of their GLP-1 journey, from understanding affordability options like the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program to building everyday habits that support lasting results. Here are five practical tips to help:
1. Lead with protein
GLP-1 medications reduce appetite, which means what patients eat matters more than how much they eat. Build meals around protein, such as seafood, lean meats, eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, beans or tofu, then add fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Protein helps patients stay fuller longer and supports muscle preservation during weight loss.
2. Make Every Bite Count
When appetite decreases, nutrient quality becomes more important. Kroger's OptUP® nutrition rating system makes it easy to identify more nutritious options throughout the store. This is a simple way to build a cart that supports nutrition goals without reading every label
3. Stay hydrated
Many patients unintentionally drink less while taking a GLP-1 medication. Staying hydrated supports energy, digestion and overall wellness. Water, low-sugar beverages and water-rich foods such as cucumbers and melons all help.
4. Plan before shopping
Having the right foods on hand makes healthy choices easier throughout the week. Simple staples – rotisserie chicken, Greek yogurt, pre-cut vegetables, frozen fruit and portion-controlled snacks – work well for smaller appetites and busy schedules.
5. Build a support team
Medication is only one part of a successful journey. Pharmacists, registered dietitians and care teams help patients manage side effects, optimize nutrition and develop habits that last. No patient has to navigate this experience alone.
Support at Every Step
Kroger Health's GLP-1 Complete Support connects patients with pharmacists, registered dietitians, clinical services through The Little Clinic and personalized nutrition guidance through OptUP®, all in one place. Kroger pharmacists can also help patients understand affordability issues, including the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program, and determine eligibility.
"GLP-1 medications can be powerful tools, but long-term success depends on the everyday choices patients make around food, hydration and lifestyle," said Laura Brown, MS, RDN, LDN, director of nutrition for Kroger Health. "Practical guidance and the right support system make a real difference."
To learn more, patients can speak with their local Kroger pharmacy team, schedule a consultation with a registered dietitian or visit Kroger Health online.
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies more than 400,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an e-Commerce experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
Kroger (KR - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $55.76, demonstrating a -3.09% change from the preceding day's closing price. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 1.21%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.97%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 2.15%.
The supermarket chain's shares have seen a decrease of 1.61% over the last month, not keeping up with the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 2.27% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.42%.
The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Kroger in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $1.05, showcasing a 0.96% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $34.78 billion, up 2.47% from the year-ago period.
In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $5.21 per share and a revenue of $151.36 billion, indicating changes of +7.42% and +2.52%, respectively, from the former year.
Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Kroger. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.
The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 0.12% lower. Kroger currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
With respect to valuation, Kroger is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 11.04. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 14.47.
Investors should also note that KR has a PEG ratio of 1.54 right now. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The average PEG ratio for the Retail - Supermarkets industry stood at 1.94 at the close of the market yesterday.
The Retail - Supermarkets industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 219, finds itself in the bottom 11% echelons of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.
Conventional wisdom says breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but you don't want to be starting your morning off by eating any of the 19 million eggs that are part of a massive recall.
Key Takeaways Kroger plans to simplify pricing and promotions to make its value proposition easier to understand.KR aims to drive repeat visits with clearer pricing, trusted relationships and a better shopping experience.KR's pricing investments will be funded through cost savings, supplier negotiations and AI efficiencies. The Kroger Co. (KR - Free Report) sees opportunities to strengthen its pricing strategy by making its value proposition simpler and easier for customers to understand. Management acknowledged that promotional offerings have become overly complicated over time, while the company's pricing position has not kept pace where it needed to, highlighting an area of focus for improvement.
The company is focused on strengthening its value proposition by making its pricing more competitive, consistent and easier for customers to understand rather than becoming the lowest-priced retailer. Management believes customers should clearly recognize the value offered when deciding where to shop. The company aims to encourage more frequent customer visits by combining a clear value proposition with a strong shopping experience and trusted customer relationships, reinforcing its long-term competitive positioning.
Kroger plans to transition toward a simpler and more consistent everyday value strategy while continuing to use promotions as an important part of its business. Management emphasized future promotional offerings will be sharper and easier for customers to understand. The company believes achieving this approach will require greater discipline as it works to support and fund a clearer, more straightforward value proposition for customers.
Importantly, the company emphasized that these pricing investments are not a one-time reset but are fully funded through internal cost savings and efficiencies, such as improved supplier negotiations and the application of AI across the business. Overall, a clearer and more transparent pricing strategy should strengthen customer trust, encourage repeat shopping and improve long-term loyalty while reinforcing Kroger’s competitive position in the grocery market.
The Zacks Rundown for KRThe company's shares have lost 6.9% in the past six months compared with the industry’s decline of 3.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, KR trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 10.87, lower than the industry’s average of 33.96. KR currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KR’s current and next fiscal year earnings implies year-over-year growth of 7.4% and 6.4%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) distributes natural, organic, specialty, produce, and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada. It presently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UNFI’s 2026 sales indicates a decline of 2.1%, and the same for earnings indicates growth of 254.9% from the prior-year reported levels. UNFI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of nearly 30%, on average.
Mama’s Creations, Inc. (MAMA - Free Report) , together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets fresh deli-prepared foods in the United States. MAMA currently carries a Zacks Rank of 1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MAMA's current fiscal-year sales & earnings implies growth of 30% and 73.3%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. MAMA delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 129.2%, on average.
Medifast, Inc. (MED - Free Report) operates as a health and wellness company that provides habit-based and coach-guided lifestyle solutions to address obesity and support a healthy life in the United States. MED currently carries a Zacks Rank of 1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MED's current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies a decline of 25.9% and 140.2%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. MED delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 635%, on average.
Kroger is attractively valued at a forward P/E of 11.2, trading near the bottom of its 52-week range. KR's private label growth, digital expansion, and retail media initiatives drive earnings and customer loyalty amid competitive pressures. KR maintains a robust balance sheet, a 2.7% dividend yield, and aggressive share buybacks, supporting long-term shareholder returns.
