Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. Makes New $1.46 Million Investment in The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• Total Wealth Planning & Management acquired 24,940 Kroger shares worth approximately $1.46 million in the third quarter, making Kroger its 20th-largest holding. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 80.93% of the stock.
• Kroger reported quarterly EPS of $1.09, exceeding estimates of $1.05, while revenue reached $34.62 billion, up 2% year over year. The company maintained fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $5.10–$5.30 and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.39, representing a 2.3% yield.
• The company plans to open about 110 stores, expand digital operations and private-label products, and pursue significant cost savings. However, Kroger faces execution and margin risks after acknowledging market-share losses to Walmart and Costco and planning price cuts and operational changes.

Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 24,940 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,462,000. Kroger makes up approximately 1.0% of Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest holding.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of KR. PFG Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Kroger by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 4,899 shares of the company's stock valued at $354,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares in the last quarter. ROI Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Kroger by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. ROI Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8,943 shares of the company's stock worth $647,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. increased its position in shares of Kroger by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. now owns 6,768 shares of the company's stock worth $490,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital increased its position in shares of Kroger by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 10,088 shares of the company's stock worth $620,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its position in shares of Kroger by 5.4% during the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 4,070 shares of the company's stock worth $226,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Kroger news, EVP Mary Adcock sold 72,901 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.70, for a total value of $4,425,090.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 175,233 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $10,636,643.10. The trade was a 29.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.41% of the company's stock.

Kroger Price Performance

Shares of KR stock opened at $66.88 on Monday. The Kroger Co. has a 52 week low of $54.15 and a 52 week high of $76.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.50 billion, a PE ratio of 36.35, a PEG ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.59, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 0.70. The stock's fifty day moving average is $59.71 and its 200-day moving average is $61.36.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, September 11th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $34.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $34.64 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 49.90% and a net margin of 0.73%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.04 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.20 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be given a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. Kroger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 84.78%.

Kroger News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger plans to open approximately 110 new stores, lower prices, expand digital capabilities and modernize operations. Management also aims to grow its private-label business to roughly $5 billion, potentially supporting customer retention and higher-margin sales. Kroger Details Growth Strategy to Open 110 Stores, Expand Own Brand to $5B, Modernize Operations
• Positive Sentiment: The proposed savings program could improve efficiency and help fund lower prices without relying entirely on sales growth. Planned savings include operational modernization and greater use of technology and artificial intelligence. Kroger’s $4B savings—a closer look
• Positive Sentiment: New-store development, including a location with a pharmacy and fuel center in Hockley, Texas, indicates continued investment in Kroger’s physical footprint and customer ecosystem. Kroger to break ground on new store with pharmacy and fuel center in Hockley
• Neutral Sentiment: Sell-side analysts continue to show a generally constructive view, with KR receiving a “Moderate Buy” rating; however, the rating does not eliminate concerns about the plan’s execution. The Kroger Co. Stock Rated Moderate Buy
• Negative Sentiment: Management acknowledged that Kroger has lost market share to Walmart and Costco. Cutting prices while funding a major investment program may pressure near-term margins, particularly if the projected savings take longer to materialize. Kroger Is Spending $5 Billion to Cut Prices
• Negative Sentiment: The strategy involves substantial operational change, including corporate job reductions and reliance on AI. Investors may be concerned about execution risk, employee disruption and whether lower prices will generate enough traffic to offset investment costs. 5 big numbers from Kroger’s Investor Day

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

KR has been the subject of several analyst reports. Evercore set a $70.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, September 14th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, September 14th. UBS Group set a $66.00 price objective on shares of Kroger and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $70.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a $60.00 target price on Kroger and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $70.35.

Kroger Company Profile

The Kroger Co is a U.S. food and grocery retailer headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded by Bernard Kroger in 1883, the company operates supermarkets under banners that include Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Fry's, Harris Teeter and Smith's, among others.

Kroger's business includes the sale of fresh food, groceries, general merchandise, household products and health and beauty items. Many of its stores also provide pharmacy services and fuel centers. The company offers digital shopping, pickup and delivery services, loyalty programs and a range of private-label products, including Simple Truth, Private Selection and Kroger-branded products.

Kroger primarily serves customers across the United States, with stores concentrated in the Midwest, South, West and parts of the Mid-Atlantic region.

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