Vise Technologies Inc. Makes New $2.30 Million Investment in The Kroger Co. $KR

Key Points

• Vise Technologies acquired 41,409 Kroger shares in the second quarter, worth approximately $2.30 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.93% of KR.
• Kroger reported quarterly revenue of $46.12 billion, up 2.2% year over year, while EPS of $1.58 narrowly missed estimates. The company projects fiscal 2026 EPS of $5.10–$5.30.
• Kroger raised its quarterly dividend to $0.39 per share, implying a 2.7% yield, while analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $72.00. However, planned closures of 60 stores in 2026 and ongoing legal matters remain risks.

Vise Technologies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 41,409 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,299,000.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in KR. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. boosted its position in Kroger by 4.5% in the fourth quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 3,537 shares of the company's stock valued at $221,000 after buying an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. PFG Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Kroger by 3.3% during the first quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 4,899 shares of the company's stock worth $354,000 after buying an additional 157 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Kroger by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 10,747 shares of the company's stock valued at $674,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its holdings in shares of Kroger by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 17,995 shares of the company's stock worth $1,124,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ROI Financial Advisors LLC boosted 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 acquiring an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger’s dividend profile continues to attract attention from income-focused investors. Analysts reviewing the stock highlight its potential appeal as a dividend investment, which could support demand for the shares. Kroger Could Be a Great Choice
• Positive Sentiment: The company is expanding its Fold Bitcoin Gift Card offering after a successful pilot, adding another digital and cryptocurrency-related feature for customers. The initiative is strategically positive but is unlikely to materially affect near-term financial results. Kroger Expands Fold Bitcoin Gift Card Offering
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is unveiling a remodeled store in Worthington, Ohio, reflecting continued investment in store quality and the customer experience. Kroger to Unveil Remodeled Store
• Neutral Sentiment: An ice cream brand sold at Kroger and other retailers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing concerns the supplier’s ownership and future rather than Kroger’s finances, so the direct impact on KR appears limited. Ice Cream Brand Files for Chapter 11
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger’s annual food-bank and peanut-butter donation efforts may support community goodwill but should have little direct effect on valuation. Kroger Holds Peanut Butter Drive
• Neutral Sentiment: Cincinnati officials limited protests near Kroger’s headquarters following complaints from a nearby small-business owner. The development reduces immediate disruption but highlights ongoing local tensions. Cincinnati Limits Kroger HQ Protests
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger plans to close 60 stores during 2026. Although closures could improve the portfolio by removing underperforming locations, the scale of the reductions raises concerns about sales, market presence and restructuring costs. Kroger to Shutter 60 Stores
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger faces a proposed $17 million class-action settlement involving pharmacy customers who used insurance for prescriptions. The settlement would create a financial cost and adds legal and reputational risk, though the amount is modest relative to Kroger’s scale. Kroger Pharmacy Settlement
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger agreed to pay $75,000 to resolve an EEOC disability-discrimination and retaliation lawsuit. The payment is financially immaterial but adds to legal and compliance headlines. Kroger EEOC Lawsuit Settlement

Kroger Stock Up 2.7%

Shares of KR opened at $57.86 on Friday. The business's fifty day moving average price is $57.88 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $64.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.04, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.43. The Kroger Co. has a 52 week low of $54.15 and a 52 week high of $76.58. 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 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 firm had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.59 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.49 EPS. The company'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, analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. This is an increase from Kroger's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.76%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on KR shares. Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 price target on Kroger in a report on Monday, June 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 11th. Evercore reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $78.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, June 1st. Finally, UBS Group set a $63.00 target price on shares of 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 assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $72.00.

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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