Meeder Asset Management Inc. Makes New Investment in The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• Meeder Asset Management initiated a Kroger position by purchasing 135,269 shares valued at approximately $7.5 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.93% of Kroger’s outstanding stock.
• Kroger reported quarterly revenue of $46.12 billion, up 2.2% year over year, but earnings per share of $1.58 narrowly missed analysts’ $1.59 estimate. Shares were trading near $56.15, close to the company’s 12-month low.
• Kroger raised its quarterly dividend to $0.39 per share from $0.35, implying an annualized dividend of $1.56 and a 2.8% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $72.

Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 135,269 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,511,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC increased its holdings in Kroger by 27.3% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,733 shares of the company's stock valued at $962,000 after acquiring an additional 3,373 shares in the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP lifted its holdings in shares of Kroger by 40.7% in the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 56,243 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,807,000 after purchasing an additional 16,270 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger in the second quarter valued at about $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Kroger by 11.5% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,288 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,978,000 after purchasing an additional 10,051 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,840,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Kroger Trading Down 1.0%

NYSE KR opened at $56.15 on Tuesday. The Kroger Co. has a 12 month low of $54.15 and a 12 month high of $76.58. The company has a 50-day moving average of $58.47 and a 200-day moving average of $64.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The company has a market cap of $34.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.43.

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). The company had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The company's revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.49 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The company 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 dividend of $0.39 per share. This is a boost from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. Kroger's payout ratio is currently 91.76%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on KR. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, June 1st. HC Wainwright reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating and set a $82.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, June 19th. Weiss Ratings cut Kroger from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Kroger from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, June 20th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Kroger has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $72.00.

Trending Headlines about Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is preparing to open a new grocery store in Lenoir City, Tennessee. The expansion could support local sales and underscores the company’s continued investment in its store network. New Kroger grocery store coming to Lenoir City

Kroger Company 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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