Envestnet Asset Management Inc. Sells 34,046 Shares of The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• Envestnet Asset Management reduced its Kroger stake by 4.5%, selling 34,046 shares and retaining 720,035 shares valued at approximately $40.0 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 80.93% of Kroger.
• Kroger reported quarterly EPS of $1.09, ahead of the $1.05 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 2.0% year over year to $34.62 billion. The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $5.10–$5.30.
• Kroger declared a quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share, implying an annualized yield of about 2.7%. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $69, versus the stock’s reported opening price of $58.75.

Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) by 4.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 720,035 shares of the company's stock after selling 34,046 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. owned 0.12% of Kroger worth $39,983,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. SGL Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Kroger in the second quarter valued at $2,764,000. Amundi raised its position in Kroger by 18.3% during the second quarter. Amundi now owns 3,942,230 shares of the company's stock worth $218,912,000 after acquiring an additional 610,039 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in Kroger during the second quarter worth $76,633,000. Quantitative Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Kroger in the second quarter valued at $1,527,000. Finally, OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp acquired a new stake in Kroger in the second quarter valued at $2,141,000. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Mary Adcock sold 72,901 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.70, for a total transaction of $4,425,090.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 175,233 shares in the company, valued at $10,636,643.10. This represents a 29.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.41% of the company's stock.

Kroger Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of KR opened at $58.75 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.59. The Kroger Co. has a 12 month low of $54.15 and a 12 month high of $76.58. The firm's 50 day moving average is $57.99 and its 200-day moving average is $62.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.70 billion, a PE ratio of 31.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.41.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, September 11th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.04. Kroger had a return on equity of 49.90% and a net margin of 0.73%.The business had revenue of $34.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $34.64 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.04 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that The Kroger Co. will post 5.19 EPS for the current year.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be paid a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. Kroger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 84.78%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Kroger from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, June 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Roth Capital reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $73.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, September 14th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a "buy" rating and issued a $80.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $69.00.

Key Kroger News

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger continues investing in customer engagement and alternative revenue streams. A new rewards credit card, planned Dunkin’ kiosks in Houston-area stores, AI-assisted employee and customer-service initiatives, and the reopening of a Tennessee store could support loyalty, traffic and higher-margin opportunities. Kroger Launches New Credit Card
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is testing 24-hour shopping at select Ohio and Indiana locations, a move that could improve convenience and capture additional shopping trips if the pilot is economically viable. Analysts also cite omnichannel sales, loyalty programs, private-label products and new retail profit pools as industry catalysts. Kroger Tests Return to 24-Hour Stores
• Neutral Sentiment: President of Kroger Health Colleen Lindholz plans to retire after 31 years. The announcement creates a leadership transition, although her long tenure may allow for an orderly succession; no successor or financial impact was provided. Colleen Lindholz Announces Retirement
• Neutral Sentiment: A major pizza supplier serving Kroger and Costco is closing additional restaurants. The development is indirect and is unlikely to materially affect Kroger unless it disrupts supply or reduces prepared-food offerings. Pizza Supplier Closes More Restaurants
• Negative Sentiment: ALDI is expanding its ready-made meal offering to compete for shoppers seeking inexpensive, convenient dinners. The move adds pressure to Kroger’s prices, traffic and margins amid a value-focused consumer environment. ALDI Makes New Move to Win Shoppers
• Negative Sentiment: Reports of renewed questions over pricing accuracy and protests at Kroger’s headquarters related to cage-free eggs create reputational and potential compliance risks, though the immediate financial effect appears limited. Kroger Faces Questions Over Pricing Accuracy
• Negative Sentiment: A dividend comparison notes that Kroger’s higher yield may reflect greater payout durability concerns than Walmart’s. That could temper income-investor enthusiasm despite the attractive headline yield. Walmart and Kroger Dividend Comparison

About Kroger

The Kroger Co NYSE: KR is one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States. Founded in Cincinnati in 1883 by Bernard Kroger, the company operates supermarkets, multi-department stores, pharmacies, convenience stores and fuel centers across the country.

Kroger sells a broad range of fresh foods, packaged groceries, household products, health and beauty items, prepared foods and general merchandise. Its private-label offerings include Simple Truth, Private Selection and Kroger brands.

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