The Kroger Co. $KR Stock Holdings Lessened by Platinum Investment Management Ltd.

Key Points

• Platinum Investment Management Ltd. sharply reduced its Kroger stake by 84.3% in the fourth quarter, selling 358,918 shares and leaving it with 66,666 shares worth about $4.2 million.
• Kroger’s stock was up 0.8% to $64.65, with shares trading between a 52-week low of $58.60 and high of $76.58. The company currently has a market cap of $39.61 billion and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed ahead of earnings, with a Moderate Buy consensus and a $74.67 price target, while some firms have lowered ratings or targets. Kroger is also facing a legal overhang after agreeing to pay $1.25 million to settle California labeling claims.

Platinum Investment Management Ltd. trimmed its stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) by 84.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 66,666 shares of the company's stock after selling 358,918 shares during the quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd.'s holdings in Kroger were worth $4,165,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in KR. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in shares of Kroger by 27.3% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,733 shares of the company's stock worth $962,000 after purchasing an additional 3,373 shares in the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP raised its position in Kroger by 40.7% during the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 56,243 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,807,000 after acquiring an additional 16,270 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in Kroger during the second quarter valued at approximately $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its position in Kroger by 11.5% during the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,288 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,978,000 after acquiring an additional 10,051 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC bought a new position in Kroger during the second quarter valued at approximately $1,840,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Kroger Trading Up 0.8%

Shares of KR stock opened at $64.65 on Friday. The Kroger Co. has a 12 month low of $58.60 and a 12 month high of $76.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66. The business's 50 day moving average is $66.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $66.54. The company has a market cap of $39.61 billion, a PE ratio of 42.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.42.

More Kroger News

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is being highlighted as a defensive grocery name during geopolitical uncertainty, and some analysts still see upside despite trimming price targets, which can support investor interest ahead of earnings. Here’s Why The Kroger Co. (KR) is a Defensive Stock to Buy Amid Geopolitical Tensions
• Positive Sentiment: The company is continuing to push value-driven promotions, including expanded fuel discounts, digital shelf labels, and seasonal private-label products, which may help traffic and customer loyalty. Is Kroger’s (KR) Digital Shelf Label Push Reframing Its Technology-Led Customer Loyalty Strategy?
• Positive Sentiment: Investor attention is building around Kroger’s June 18 Q1 earnings report, with some dividend-focused coverage reinforcing the stock’s income appeal before results are released. How To Earn $500 A Month From Kroger Stock Ahead Of Q1 Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts remain mixed: JPMorgan and Erste Group both lowered estimates or targets, but kept broadly cautious/neutral stances, suggesting limited near-term conviction either way. JPMorgan price target update
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage ahead of earnings says Kroger may not have the right setup for an upside surprise, which keeps expectations tempered into the report. Kroger (KR) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger agreed to pay $1.25 million to settle California claims that its Carbmaster bread labels overstated calorie reductions, adding another food-labeling legal overhang. Kroger to pay $1.25 million after California said its Carbmaster bread labels slashed calories in half

Analyst Ratings Changes

KR has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Wednesday. Erste Group Bank lowered shares of Kroger from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Telsey Advisory Group raised their price objective on shares of Kroger from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $80.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $74.67.

Kroger Company 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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