Munich Reinsurance Co Stock Corp in Munich Takes Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• Munich Re opened a new position in Kroger, buying 92,228 shares (~$6.22 million) in the third quarter per its SEC filing.
• Kroger beat Q4 EPS ($1.28 vs. $1.20), issued FY‑2026 adjusted EPS guidance of 5.10–5.30, and approved an additional $2B buyback on top of a $7.5B program, which analysts view as a catalyst for per‑share growth.
• Offsetting positives, Kroger’s Q4 revenue slightly missed expectations, management’s same‑store sales outlook is modest, and concerns include a high GAAP payout ratio (~129.6%), product recalls and legal/labor risks that could pressure results.

Munich Reinsurance Co Stock Corp in Munich purchased a new position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 92,228 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,217,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Avalon Trust Co bought a new position in shares of Kroger during the third quarter worth about $29,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Kroger by 87.8% in the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 445 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Kroger in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Kroger by 100.0% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 490 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 245 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Kroger Stock Performance

Shares of KR stock opened at $74.31 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $65.35 and a 200-day moving average of $65.89. The company has a market cap of $47.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a quick ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66. The Kroger Co. has a 52 week low of $58.60 and a 52 week high of $74.90.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, March 5th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.08. Kroger had a net margin of 0.69% and a return on equity of 41.08%. The company had revenue of $34.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $35.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.14 EPS. Kroger's quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that The Kroger Co. will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Kroger Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th were paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 13th. Kroger's payout ratio is 129.63%.

Key Headlines Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat on profit and margins: Kroger reported adjusted EPS above estimates, delivered gross‑margin expansion and 20% e‑commerce growth; management also rolled out FY‑26 adjusted EPS guidance above consensus and approved further buybacks — a clear catalyst for earnings per‑share growth. PR Newswire
• Positive Sentiment: Large, sustained capital returns: Management completed accelerated repurchases in 2025 and the board approved an additional $2B repurchase authorization on top of a $7.5B program; analysts and commentators say buybacks plus a growing dividend underpin long‑term per‑share upside. MarketBeat
• Positive Sentiment: Street support and upgrades: Several shops have reiterated/raised ratings and price targets (e.g., Roth MKM reaffirmed buy with a $78 PT; Telsey lifted its target), reinforcing positive sentiment into the print. Benzinga
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual bullish options flow: Call buying spiked (large single‑day activity), suggesting some traders are positioning for additional upside or event‑driven moves.
• Neutral Sentiment: New CEO’s playbook: Greg Foran is pushing lower prices, sharper promotions, AI and e‑commerce improvements to accelerate sales — a credible strategic pivot but execution and timing remain uncertain. FoodBusinessNews
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst consensus is broadly constructive (moderate buy), but median price targets leave limited near‑term upside absent stronger top‑line revisions. AmericanBankingNews
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue and sales outlook are muted: Q4 revenue slightly missed estimates and management offered modest identical‑sales guidance for 2026 (1–2% ex‑fuel), tempering a rally based solely on EPS strength. Retail Insight Network
• Negative Sentiment: Product recalls: Kroger‑branded and partner rice/frozen products were included in a glass‑fragment recall, creating short‑term inventory, sales and reputational headwinds in affected markets. MSN
• Negative Sentiment: Labor and legal exposure: Class‑action suits over e‑commerce worker classification and heightened union friction (Teamsters commentary) add regulatory/legal risk and potential costs. GroceryDive
• Negative Sentiment: Dividend sustainability question: Commentary flagged a high payout ratio on a GAAP basis (dividend > GAAP net income), which could worry income investors despite strong cash flow and buybacks. 24/7 Wall St.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have issued reports on KR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Kroger from $73.00 to $71.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 5th. Roth Mkm reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $78.00 price objective (up from $75.00) on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Kroger from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, December 27th. Wolfe Research restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $75.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $74.38.

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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