Quantitative Investment Management LLC Buys Shares of 27,514 The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• Quantitative Investment Management acquired 27,514 Kroger shares worth approximately $1.53 million, while institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 80.93% of the stock.
• Kroger’s latest quarterly revenue rose 2.2% year over year to $46.12 billion, although EPS of $1.58 narrowly missed estimates. The company issued fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $5.10–$5.30.
• Kroger increased its quarterly dividend from $0.35 to $0.39 per share, yielding approximately 2.7% annually. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $72.

Quantitative Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 27,514 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,527,000.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Kroger during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Kroger during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. bought a new stake in Kroger in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Kroger in the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Kroger during the third quarter worth $31,000. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kroger Stock Down 0.4%

NYSE:KR opened at $57.50 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $57.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $64.34. The Kroger Co. has a 52-week low of $54.15 and a 52-week high of $76.58. The company has a market cap of $35.23 billion, a PE ratio of 33.82, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.43. 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 released its earnings results on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 EPS 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 the consensus estimate of $45.59 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.49 EPS. The company's revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a $0.39 dividend. This is a boost from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. Kroger's payout ratio is presently 91.76%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

KR has been the topic of several research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $82.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, June 19th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $71.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. HC Wainwright reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, UBS Group set a $63.00 target price on Kroger and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average 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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