Meeder Advisory Services Inc. Makes New Investment in The Kroger Co. $KR

Meeder Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 22,175 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,231,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. boosted its position 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 buying an additional 153 shares during the period. PFG Investments LLC increased its position in Kroger by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 4,899 shares of the company's stock valued at $354,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Kroger by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 10,747 shares of the company's stock valued at $674,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR raised its stake in Kroger by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 17,995 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,124,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ROI Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Kroger by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. ROI Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8,943 shares of the company's stock worth $647,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company's stock.

More Kroger News

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

KR has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $82.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, June 19th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Kroger from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Evercore reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $78.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Guggenheim reissued a "buy" rating and set a $71.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $72.00.

Kroger Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of KR stock opened at $56.34 on Thursday. The Kroger Co. has a 1 year low of $54.15 and a 1 year high of $76.58. The stock has a market cap of $34.51 billion, a PE ratio of 33.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.43. The business's fifty day moving average is $58.17 and its 200-day moving average is $64.81. 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 announced 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). Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. The firm had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.49 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. Equities analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share 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 given a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. This is a boost from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. Kroger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.76%.

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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