Deutsche Bank AG Purchases New Holdings in The Kroger Co. $KR

Deutsche Bank AG acquired a new stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 2,156,001 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $119,723,000. Deutsche Bank AG owned about 0.35% of Kroger as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. increased its stake in shares of Kroger by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 3,537 shares of the company's stock worth $221,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the period. PFG Investments LLC lifted its position in Kroger by 3.3% in the first quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 4,899 shares of the company's stock valued at $354,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Kroger by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 10,747 shares of the company's stock valued at $674,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its holdings in Kroger by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 17,995 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,124,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ROI Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Kroger by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. ROI Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8,943 shares of the company's stock valued at $647,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Erste Group Bank lowered Kroger from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating and set a $82.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, June 19th. UBS Group set a $63.00 price target on shares of Kroger and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Kroger from $71.00 to $61.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Kroger has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $72.00.

Kroger Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSE KR opened at $56.34 on Thursday. The Kroger Co. has a 12-month low of $54.15 and a 12-month high of $76.58. The company has a market cap of $34.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.14, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $58.17 and a 200 day moving average price of $64.81.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last released 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). The firm had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The business's quarterly revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.49 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. Research analysts anticipate 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. Stockholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This is an increase from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger's payout ratio is 91.76%.

Kroger News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is expanding and refreshing its retail footprint, including new Marketplace locations in metro Atlanta and a remodeled Worthington, Ohio, store. The investments could improve customer experience, sales productivity and local market competitiveness. Kroger opens new Marketplace locations in metro Atlanta
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst commentary remains broadly constructive: Kroger’s average brokerage recommendation is equivalent to a Buy, while recent analysis describes the shares as reasonably valued after their decline. The appointment of Nate Faust to lead e-commerce could support better digital execution and efficiency over time. Kroger stock looks reasonable as e-commerce leadership changes start
• Positive Sentiment: The nationwide rollout of Fold Bitcoin Gift Cards gives Kroger a new payments and rewards-related offering, although the near-term financial impact is likely limited. Kroger rolls out Fold Bitcoin Gift Card program nationwide
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger plans to close 60 U.S. stores in 2026. Management may be using the closures to eliminate underperforming locations and improve profitability, but the scale of the reductions raises concerns about sales, market share and restructuring costs. Kroger closing 60 stores in 2026
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that Kroger’s customer traffic is declining suggest shoppers may be cutting back or shifting business to competitors. Persistent traffic weakness could pressure identical-store sales and margins. Kroger’s traffic woes reflect the market
• Negative Sentiment: A recall involving jalapeño products sold at Kroger and other retailers creates food-safety and reputational risk, though the incident also affects competitors. Products recalled over jalapeño salmonella outbreak
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger agreed to pay $75,000 to settle an EEOC disability-discrimination and retaliation lawsuit. The financial cost is small, but the case adds legal, compliance and reputational pressure. Kroger to pay $75,000 in EEOC lawsuit

About Kroger

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

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