Allworth Financial LP Buys Shares of 38,687 The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• Allworth Financial initiated a Kroger position by purchasing 38,687 shares valued at approximately $2.15 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 80.93% of Kroger’s stock.
• Kroger reported quarterly revenue of $46.12 billion, up 2.2% year over year, although earnings per share of $1.58 narrowly missed estimates. The company maintained fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $5.10–$5.30.
• Kroger raised its quarterly dividend from $0.35 to $0.39 per share, implying a 2.7% annualized yield. Analysts give the stock a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $72, versus a recent price of $57.86.

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.

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

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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