Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC Has $7.23 Million Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC increased its stake in Kroger by 36.1%, owning 107,245 shares worth about $7.23 million after adding 28,435 shares in Q3 per its latest 13F filing.
• Kroger beat Q4 EPS estimates ($1.28 vs. $1.20), issued FY‑2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $5.10–$5.30, and trades near its one‑year high with a MarketBeat consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a average price target around $74.38.
• Management authorized large capital returns (an additional $2B repurchase on top of a $7.5B program) and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.35 (1.9% yield), but faces headwinds from muted revenue growth, product recalls and legal/labor risks, and a high GAAP payout ratio (~129.6%).

Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC raised its holdings in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) by 36.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 107,245 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 28,435 shares during the quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC's holdings in Kroger were worth $7,229,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Avalon Trust Co bought a new position in shares of Kroger in the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Kroger by 87.8% during the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 445 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the second quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. increased 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 purchasing an additional 245 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Kroger Trading Up 3.8%

NYSE KR opened at $74.31 on Friday. The Kroger Co. has a one year low of $58.60 and a one year high of $74.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.45. The firm has a market cap of $47.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.57, a P/E/G ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.62. The stock's 50-day moving average is $65.35 and its 200-day moving average is $65.92.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 5th. The company reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $34.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $35.10 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.69% and a return on equity of 41.08%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.14 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that The Kroger Co. will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Dividend Announcement

The company 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 13th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Kroger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 129.63%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on KR shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, December 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Kroger from $73.00 to $71.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of Kroger from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and cut their price target for the company from $70.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Wolfe Research reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $75.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Barclays restated a "positive" rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, February 9th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $74.38.

More Kroger News

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.

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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