AlphaQuest LLC Buys 13,260 Shares of The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• AlphaQuest LLC increased its stake in Kroger Co. by 248.1% in the first quarter, acquiring an additional 13,260 shares, bringing their total holdings to 18,605 shares valued at approximately $1.26 million.
• Kroger's recent quarterly earnings surpassed analysts' expectations, reporting $1.49 EPS, yet revenue fell slightly year-over-year, totaling $45.12 billion.
• The company announced a dividend increase to $0.35, up from $0.32, with the ex-dividend date set for August 15, representing a 2.0% dividend yield.

AlphaQuest LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) by 248.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,605 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 13,260 shares during the quarter. AlphaQuest LLC's holdings in Kroger were worth $1,259,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of KR. Accent Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Garde Capital Inc. bought a new position in shares of Kroger during the first quarter valued at $31,000. Capital Analysts LLC bought a new position in shares of Kroger during the first quarter valued at $36,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its holdings in shares of Kroger by 46.7% during the first quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 550 shares of the company's stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of Kroger during the first quarter valued at $38,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on KR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $75.00 price objective (down from $82.00) on shares of Kroger in a research report on Wednesday. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $82.00 target price (up from $73.00) on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, June 20th. Melius raised Kroger from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $70.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. Guggenheim raised their target price on Kroger from $73.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. Finally, UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $74.00 target price (up from $66.00) on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $70.58.

Insider Transactions at Kroger

In related news, VP Carin L. Fike sold 16,475 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.79, for a total transaction of $1,215,690.25. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 49,360 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,642,274.40. This trade represents a 25.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Yael Cosset sold 71,224 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.49, for a total value of $5,234,251.76. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 139,124 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,224,222.76. This trade represents a 33.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 198,948 shares of company stock valued at $14,422,926. 0.44% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Kroger Price Performance

KR opened at $69.4330 on Friday. The Kroger Co. has a 12-month low of $50.69 and a 12-month high of $74.90. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.92. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $70.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.58. The company has a market capitalization of $45.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.92, a PEG ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 0.59.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, June 20th. The company reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.04. Kroger had a return on equity of 34.71% and a net margin of 1.89%.The firm had revenue of $45.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $45.35 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.43 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. Kroger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.600-4.800 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that The Kroger Co. will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. This is a positive change from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Kroger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.15%.

Kroger Company Profile

The Kroger Co operates as a food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price impact warehouses. Its combination food and drug stores offer natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers, fresh seafood, and organic produce; and multi-department stores provide apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products, and toys.

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