The Kroger Co. $KR Shares Bought by Valley Wealth Managers Inc.

Key Points

• Valley Wealth Managers increased its Kroger stake by 8.5% in the first quarter, bringing its holdings to 343,728 shares worth about $24.9 million.
• Kroger’s latest earnings slightly missed EPS estimates at $1.58 versus $1.59 expected, but revenue topped forecasts at $46.12 billion and rose 2.2% year over year.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.39 per share from $0.35, while analysts currently rate the stock a consensus Moderate Buy with a $72 target price.

Valley Wealth Managers Inc. grew its stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) by 8.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 343,728 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 27,054 shares during the period. Kroger comprises approximately 1.6% of Valley Wealth Managers Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. owned 0.06% of Kroger worth $24,872,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new stake in Kroger during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Kroger by 268.1% in the fourth quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 303 shares during the period. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Kroger in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Weiss Ratings lowered Kroger from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Thursday, June 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating and issued a $82.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, June 19th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Kroger from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, June 20th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Kroger presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $72.00.

Kroger Price Performance

Shares of NYSE KR opened at $58.89 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $61.70 and a 200-day simple moving average of $65.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43. The Kroger Co. has a 52 week low of $54.15 and a 52 week high of $76.58.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.01). Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The business had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.49 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. This is an increase from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger's payout ratio is presently 91.76%.

Key Stories Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger announced a partnership with Mid-Ohio Food Collective aimed at a $100,000 flash match goal, highlighting continued community engagement and brand goodwill. Kroger partners with Mid-Ohio Food Collective for $100,000 flash match goal
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is expanding its wine business with 147 new wine shops nationwide, a move that could support higher-margin sales and strengthen its premium offerings. Kroger bets on luxury wines with 147 new wine shops nationwide
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and media coverage continue to debate Kroger’s valuation, with one recent piece suggesting the stock may be trading near fair value rather than at a discount. Is Kroger (KR) Stock Trading Around Fair Value Today?
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger’s proposed acquisition activity is still facing regulatory review, with possible divestitures discussed, which keeps the deal story active but uncertain for investors. Kroger (KR) Awaits Giant Eagle Review As Tempo Starts Cook Never Club
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple reports of a shooting at a Cypress Kroger location, including critical injuries and an arrest, may weigh on sentiment due to safety concerns and potential reputational damage. Suspect charged after shooting inside Cypress Kroger; security expert shares tips on how to survive a violent situation
• Negative Sentiment: Recent coverage says Kroger foot traffic has slumped for a third straight month, suggesting softer in-store demand and pressure on near-term sales trends. Kroger foot traffic slumps, analyst says, continuing a three-month trend
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that Kroger scrapped most of its Florida Harris Teeter expansion plans also point to slower growth expectations in a key market. Kroger scraps plans for 80 Harris Teeter stores in Florida, except 1

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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