The Kroger Co. $KR Shares Bought by California State Teachers Retirement System

Key Points

• California State Teachers Retirement System increased its Kroger stake by 6,190.2% to 43.8 million shares, worth approximately $2.43 billion and representing 7.14% of the company. Other major institutions also initiated positions, with institutional investors collectively owning 80.93% of Kroger.
• Kroger reported quarterly revenue of $46.12 billion, up 2.2% year over year and above estimates, though earnings per share of $1.58 narrowly missed expectations. The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.39 per share, producing a 2.7% annualized yield.
• Analyst sentiment remains moderately bullish, with a consensus price target of $71.31 compared with shares trading near $56.87. Ratings include 10 Buys and nine Holds, while Kroger’s fiscal 2026 earnings guidance is $5.10–$5.30 per share.

California State Teachers Retirement System grew its stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) by 6,190.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 43,768,080 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 43,072,270 shares during the quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System owned about 7.14% of Kroger worth $2,430,441,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Kroger during the 2nd quarter valued at about $3,016,956,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger in the fourth quarter valued at about $470,561,000. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new stake in Kroger during the second quarter worth about $284,501,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in Kroger during the second quarter worth about $195,234,000. Finally, Nykredit A S purchased a new position in Kroger during the second quarter worth about $157,533,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Kroger Stock Performance

Shares of KR stock opened at $56.87 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.79. The firm has a market cap of $34.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.41. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $57.78 and its 200-day moving average price is $63.69. The Kroger Co. has a one year low of $54.15 and a one year high of $76.58.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results 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 company had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.49 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 EPS for the current year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, August 15th were issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. This is a positive change from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 14th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. Kroger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 91.76%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on KR. 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. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Kroger from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, June 20th. UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Friday, September 4th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $80.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $71.31.

Key Stories Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger’s grocery and digital businesses are expected to show continued momentum. Analysts are watching revenue growth, customer traffic, e-commerce performance and management’s outlook against fiscal 2026 earnings guidance of $5.10-$5.30 per share. Kroger Set to Report Q2 Earnings: What Should Investors Expect?
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger expanded its customer convenience offering by enabling delivery of GLP-1 prescriptions with grocery orders, which could support pharmacy engagement and digital sales. Kroger can now deliver your GLP-1 prescription with your groceries
• Positive Sentiment: New leadership hires and planned expansion, including an approved Kroger Marketplace mixed-use development in Keller, Texas, may strengthen Kroger’s long-term competitive position against Walmart and Amazon. Kroger and Albertsons make key moves to take on Amazon and Walmart

About Kroger

The Kroger Co NYSE: KR is one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States. Founded in Cincinnati in 1883 by Bernard Kroger, the company operates supermarkets, multi-department stores, pharmacies, convenience stores and fuel centers across the country.

Kroger sells a broad range of fresh foods, packaged groceries, household products, health and beauty items, prepared foods and general merchandise. Its private-label offerings include Simple Truth, Private Selection and Kroger brands.

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