Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Has $45.44 Million Holdings in The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• Assenagon Asset Management increased its Kroger stake by 319.8% in the second quarter, holding 818,318 shares valued at approximately $45.44 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.93% of Kroger.
• Kroger reported quarterly revenue of $46.12 billion, up 2.2% year over year, while earnings per share of $1.58 narrowly missed the $1.59 consensus estimate. The company expects fiscal 2026 EPS of $5.10–$5.30.
• Kroger raised its quarterly dividend to $0.39 per share, representing a 2.8% annualized yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $72, versus the stock’s reported $56.70 price.

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) by 319.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 818,318 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 623,370 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. owned 0.13% of Kroger worth $45,441,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Balefire LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger in the second quarter valued at about $467,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Kroger by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 69,842 shares of the company's stock worth $3,878,000 after purchasing an additional 611 shares during the period. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division lifted its position in shares of Kroger by 13.4% in the 2nd quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 7,780 shares of the company's stock worth $432,000 after purchasing an additional 922 shares during the period. Financial Enhancement Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Kroger by 13.1% in the 2nd quarter. Financial Enhancement Group LLC now owns 122,819 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,820,000 after purchasing an additional 14,250 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Kroger by 4.6% in the 2nd quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 30,034 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,668,000 after purchasing an additional 1,327 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Kroger Stock Performance

Shares of KR opened at $56.70 on Friday. The Kroger Co. has a one year low of $54.15 and a one year high of $76.58. The company has a market cap of $34.74 billion, a PE ratio of 33.35, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.43. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $59.15 and a 200-day moving average of $65.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.39.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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 analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.49 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This is an increase from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger's payout ratio is 82.35%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $80.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Erste Group Bank downgraded Kroger from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. HC Wainwright reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered Kroger from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research 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. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $72.00.

Kroger Company Profile

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

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

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