Manning & Napier Advisors LLC Purchases Shares of 17,327 The Kroger Co. $KR

Manning & Napier Advisors LLC bought a new stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 17,327 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $969,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of KR. L2 Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Kroger during the 2nd quarter valued at $3,483,000. Flavin Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in Kroger during the 2nd quarter worth $474,000. Cibc World Market Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 2nd quarter worth $15,482,000. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 2nd quarter worth $2,141,000. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger in the second quarter valued at about $5,515,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Kroger Trading Down 1.0%

Shares of KR stock opened at $58.49 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $35.84 billion, a PE ratio of 34.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.43. The Kroger Co. has a 52-week low of $54.15 and a 52-week high of $76.58. The business's fifty day moving average is $57.67 and its 200 day moving average is $64.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.79.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.59 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.49 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. On average, equities 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. Shareholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be paid a $0.39 dividend. This is a boost from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. Kroger's payout ratio is presently 91.76%.

Key Headlines Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Nationwide grocery-and-prescription delivery: Kroger and Instacart launched a combined delivery service through Kroger’s websites and apps across nearly all major banners, including Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Harris Teeter. The service may improve convenience, encourage larger orders and strengthen Kroger’s digital ecosystem, although near-term financial benefits were not disclosed. Kroger Customers Can Shop for Groceries and Prescriptions in a Single Order
• Positive Sentiment: Store expansion and remodeling: Kroger plans new stores in Dearborn and Commerce Township, Michigan, in 2027, while also investing millions of dollars in two existing-store remodels and local programs. These projects signal continued investment in market share and the physical store base, though they will require additional capital spending. Kroger Adding New Stores in Dearborn and Commerce Township in 2027
• Positive Sentiment: Automation rollout: Kroger is introducing inventory robots, a move that could improve stock accuracy, product availability and labor efficiency. The earnings impact remains uncertain because the reports did not provide implementation costs or savings estimates. Kroger Rolls Out Inventory Robots
• Neutral Sentiment: A media comparison highlighting Kroger-branded products may reinforce the value proposition of its private-label business, but it is not a new corporate announcement and is unlikely to materially affect KR by itself. 10 Kroger Store-Brand Foods That Beat Name Brands
• Negative Sentiment: $17 million pharmacy settlement: Kroger pharmacy customers may be eligible for payments under a proposed class-action settlement alleging overcharges involving generic prescriptions and a savings program. The settlement creates a direct financial cost and adds reputational and compliance risk, although the amount is modest relative to Kroger’s sales. Kroger Must Pay $17 Million Settlement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have commented on KR shares. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Guggenheim reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $71.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. HC Wainwright reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating and issued a $82.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, June 19th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Kroger has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $72.00.

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.

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