1834 Investment Advisors Co. Decreases Stake in The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• 1834 Investment Advisors cut its stake by 47.2% in Q4, selling 38,145 Kroger shares and leaving it with 42,749 shares valued at about $2.67 million.
• Mixed quarterly results: Kroger beat EPS ($1.28 vs. $1.20) but missed revenue ($34.73B vs. $35.10B), reported thin net margins (0.69%) and a high debt-to-equity ratio (2.66), with FY2026 guidance set at $5.10–$5.30 EPS.
• Dividend and analyst view: Kroger announced a $0.35 quarterly dividend (annualized $1.40, 2.1% yield) despite a high payout ratio (91.5%), and the stock carries a consensus "Moderate Buy" target of $74.56.

1834 Investment Advisors Co. cut its holdings in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) by 47.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 42,749 shares of the company's stock after selling 38,145 shares during the period. 1834 Investment Advisors Co.'s holdings in Kroger were worth $2,671,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Kroger by 268.1% in the 4th quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the third quarter worth $31,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Kroger by 100.0% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 490 shares of the company's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 245 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Westend Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Kroger in the fourth quarter valued at $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is boosting customer value with targeted promotions and pricing initiatives (Online Deal Days and other savings) to protect market share amid rising grocery costs. Kroger launches online deal days amid rising food costs
• Positive Sentiment: Retail footprint and store investment: multiple store remodels and a new, large Kroger Marketplace (Mechanicsville) signal continued capital reinvestment to drive sales and compete with big-box rivals. Kroger Completes $2M Store Remodel in Illinois
• Positive Sentiment: Grocery + fuel strategy: reporting and analysis highlight Kroger’s gas pricing competitiveness vs. Costco and Walmart — a differentiated traffic driver that can protect basket spend. Kroger quietly builds a massive gas edge over Costco, Walmart
• Positive Sentiment: New product partnerships and assortment expansion (Beyond Meat nationwide rollout in 2,000+ stores; Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse products hitting Kroger shelves) support incremental sales and fresh inventory buzz. Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse Teams Up with Kroger
• Neutral Sentiment: Workforce and talent initiatives (Pearl Street Academy, Platinum workforce rating, expanded associate education) are long-term positives for retention but increase near-term operating investment. How Kroger’s New Shelf Registration and Workforce Push Could Shape Kroger (KR) Investors’ Outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger filed an omnibus shelf registration (debt, preferred/common, warrants) — provides financing flexibility but raises the possibility of future issuance that investors will watch closely. Shelf registration article
• Neutral Sentiment: Community initiatives (drug take-back events across multiple states) support brand and local engagement but are unlikely to move near-term financials. Kroger hosting drug take back events across metro Atlanta
• Negative Sentiment: Financial/valuation concerns: last quarter Kroger beat EPS modestly but missed revenue estimates, reported thin net margins and carries elevated debt-to-equity — investors may be selling into the company’s continued investment cycle and the risk of margin pressure from inflation and higher associate costs.

Kroger Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of Kroger stock opened at $67.26 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.96, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.55. The Kroger Co. has a twelve month low of $58.60 and a twelve month high of $76.58. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $70.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $66.82.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, March 5th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $34.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $35.10 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.69% and a return on equity of 41.08%. Kroger's revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.14 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that The Kroger Co. will post 5.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Kroger Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. Kroger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.50%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, March 27th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a "buy" rating and issued a $82.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Kroger from $68.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Wolfe Research reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $75.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, Barclays reissued a "positive" rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, February 9th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $74.56.

Kroger Profile

The Kroger Co NYSE: KR is one of the largest supermarket operators in the United States, offering a wide range of retail grocery and related services. Founded in Cincinnati in 1883 by Bernard Kroger, the company operates a portfolio of supermarket and multi-department store banners and provides customers with fresh foods, packaged groceries, deli and bakery items, meat and seafood, produce, and prepared foods. Kroger's stores commonly include pharmacy services and fuel centers, positioning the company as a broad-based neighborhood retail destination for everyday needs.

In addition to traditional in-store retailing, Kroger manufactures and distributes a variety of private-label brands and operates its own food production and supply-chain facilities.

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