BlackRock Inc. Takes $3.02 Billion Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

BlackRock Inc. 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 Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 54,330,207 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,016,956,000. BlackRock Inc. owned about 8.87% of Kroger at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted 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 buying an additional 3,373 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP boosted its holdings in Kroger by 40.7% during the first 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 during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the second quarter valued at approximately $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Kroger by 11.5% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,288 shares of the company's stock worth $6,978,000 after purchasing an additional 10,051 shares during the period. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC bought a new position in shares of Kroger during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,840,000. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Kroger Price Performance

Shares of Kroger stock opened at $56.39 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $34.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.17, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.43. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $58.34 and its 200-day simple moving average is $64.84. The Kroger Co. has a 52 week low of $54.15 and a 52 week high of $76.58. 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 posted its 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). Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. The business had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $45.59 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $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, analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared 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. This is an increase from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. Kroger's dividend payout ratio is presently 91.76%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

KR has been the subject of several analyst reports. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Barclays set a $61.00 target price on shares of Kroger and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Kroger from $71.00 to $61.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $82.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, June 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a "buy" rating and set a $80.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $72.00.

Key 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 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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