Dupree Financial Group LLC Takes $6.07 Million Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• Dupree Financial Group LLC acquired 97,076 shares of The Kroger Co. in Q4, a roughly $6.07 million position that represents about 2.2% of its portfolio and is its 19th-largest holding.
• Kroger slightly beat quarterly EPS ($1.28 vs. $1.20) but missed revenue estimates; it set FY2026 EPS guidance of $5.10–$5.30 (analysts forecast ~5.24) and declared a $0.35 quarterly dividend (≈2.1% yield, DPR ~91.5%).
• Analysts have a consensus "Moderate Buy" with a $74.56 target while Kroger trades at a ~44 P/E and $41.2B market cap, though investors note thin margins and elevated debt-to-equity (2.66) amid heavy institutional ownership (~80.9%).

Dupree Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 97,076 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,065,000. Kroger accounts for about 2.2% of Dupree Financial Group LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in KR. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Kroger by 268.1% in the fourth quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 303 shares during the period. Avalon Trust Co purchased a new stake in Kroger in the third quarter worth $29,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Kroger in the third quarter worth $31,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Kroger by 100.0% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 490 shares of the company's stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 245 shares during the period. Finally, Westend Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Kroger in the fourth quarter worth $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Kroger Price Performance

KR opened at $67.26 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $70.56 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $66.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66. The company has a market cap of $41.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 0.55. The Kroger Co. has a 12-month low of $58.60 and a 12-month high of $76.58.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 5th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $34.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $35.10 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 41.08% and a net margin of 0.69%.The firm's quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.14 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. Research analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Kroger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.50%.

Kroger News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is boosting customer value with targeted promotions and pricing initiatives (Online Deal Days and other savings) to protect market share amid rising grocery costs. Kroger launches online deal days amid rising food costs
• Positive Sentiment: Retail footprint and store investment: multiple store remodels and a new, large Kroger Marketplace (Mechanicsville) signal continued capital reinvestment to drive sales and compete with big-box rivals. Kroger Completes $2M Store Remodel in Illinois
• Positive Sentiment: Grocery + fuel strategy: reporting and analysis highlight Kroger’s gas pricing competitiveness vs. Costco and Walmart — a differentiated traffic driver that can protect basket spend. Kroger quietly builds a massive gas edge over Costco, Walmart
• Positive Sentiment: New product partnerships and assortment expansion (Beyond Meat nationwide rollout in 2,000+ stores; Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse products hitting Kroger shelves) support incremental sales and fresh inventory buzz. Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse Teams Up with Kroger
• Neutral Sentiment: Workforce and talent initiatives (Pearl Street Academy, Platinum workforce rating, expanded associate education) are long-term positives for retention but increase near-term operating investment. How Kroger’s New Shelf Registration and Workforce Push Could Shape Kroger (KR) Investors’ Outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger filed an omnibus shelf registration (debt, preferred/common, warrants) — provides financing flexibility but raises the possibility of future issuance that investors will watch closely. Shelf registration article
• Neutral Sentiment: Community initiatives (drug take-back events across multiple states) support brand and local engagement but are unlikely to move near-term financials. Kroger hosting drug take back events across metro Atlanta
• Negative Sentiment: Financial/valuation concerns: last quarter Kroger beat EPS modestly but missed revenue estimates, reported thin net margins and carries elevated debt-to-equity — investors may be selling into the company’s continued investment cycle and the risk of margin pressure from inflation and higher associate costs.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

KR has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised Kroger from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, April 4th. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $78.00 price target (up from $75.00) on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, March 6th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, March 27th. Wolfe Research reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $75.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group increased their price objective on Kroger from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $74.56.

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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