GQG Partners LLC Invests $1.90 Million in The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• GQG Partners initiated a $1.90 million stake in Kroger during the second quarter by purchasing 34,235 shares. Institutional investors collectively own about 80.93% of Kroger’s outstanding stock.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and a $72 price target, although some firms recently downgraded the stock to “Hold.” Kroger shares opened at $57.86, well below their 52-week high of $76.58.
• Kroger reported quarterly revenue of $46.12 billion, up 2.2% year over year, but narrowly missed earnings expectations. The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.39 per share, while planned store closures and legal settlements remain potential concerns.

GQG Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 34,235 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,901,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake in Kroger by 27.3% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,733 shares of the company's stock worth $962,000 after buying an additional 3,373 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP boosted its position in Kroger by 40.7% in the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 56,243 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,807,000 after buying an additional 16,270 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in Kroger in the 2nd quarter worth about $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its stake in Kroger by 11.5% in the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,288 shares of the company's stock worth $6,978,000 after acquiring an additional 10,051 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kroger during the second quarter worth approximately $1,840,000. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently issued reports on KR shares. HC Wainwright reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Erste Group Bank downgraded Kroger from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. Evercore reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $78.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Wall Street Zen cut Kroger from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, June 20th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Kroger has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $72.00.

Kroger News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger’s dividend profile continues to attract attention from income-focused investors. Analysts reviewing the stock highlight its potential appeal as a dividend investment, which could support demand for the shares. Kroger Could Be a Great Choice
• Positive Sentiment: The company is expanding its Fold Bitcoin Gift Card offering after a successful pilot, adding another digital and cryptocurrency-related feature for customers. The initiative is strategically positive but is unlikely to materially affect near-term financial results. Kroger Expands Fold Bitcoin Gift Card Offering
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is unveiling a remodeled store in Worthington, Ohio, reflecting continued investment in store quality and the customer experience. Kroger to Unveil Remodeled Store
• Neutral Sentiment: An ice cream brand sold at Kroger and other retailers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing concerns the supplier’s ownership and future rather than Kroger’s finances, so the direct impact on KR appears limited. Ice Cream Brand Files for Chapter 11
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger’s annual food-bank and peanut-butter donation efforts may support community goodwill but should have little direct effect on valuation. Kroger Holds Peanut Butter Drive
• Neutral Sentiment: Cincinnati officials limited protests near Kroger’s headquarters following complaints from a nearby small-business owner. The development reduces immediate disruption but highlights ongoing local tensions. Cincinnati Limits Kroger HQ Protests
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger plans to close 60 stores during 2026. Although closures could improve the portfolio by removing underperforming locations, the scale of the reductions raises concerns about sales, market presence and restructuring costs. Kroger to Shutter 60 Stores
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger faces a proposed $17 million class-action settlement involving pharmacy customers who used insurance for prescriptions. The settlement would create a financial cost and adds legal and reputational risk, though the amount is modest relative to Kroger’s scale. Kroger Pharmacy Settlement
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger agreed to pay $75,000 to resolve an EEOC disability-discrimination and retaliation lawsuit. The payment is financially immaterial but adds to legal and compliance headlines. Kroger EEOC Lawsuit Settlement

Kroger Price Performance

Shares of KR opened at $57.86 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.79. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $57.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $64.71. The Kroger Co. has a fifty-two week low of $54.15 and a fifty-two week high of $76.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.45 billion, a PE ratio of 34.04, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.43.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last announced its 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 company had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. The firm's revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.49 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. Equities analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $0.39 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This is an increase from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. Kroger's dividend payout ratio is 91.76%.

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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