Nuveen Asset Management LLC Grows Holdings in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR)

Nuveen Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR - Free Report) by 6.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,125,988 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 178,580 shares during the period. Nuveen Asset Management LLC owned 0.43% of Kroger worth $191,154,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Avanza Fonder AB purchased a new stake in Kroger during the 4th quarter valued at $4,210,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Kroger by 0.6% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,164,855 shares of the company's stock worth $353,246,000 after buying an additional 37,222 shares during the period. Sylvest Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kroger during the fourth quarter worth about $1,132,000. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Kroger during the fourth quarter worth about $504,000. Finally, Donoghue Forlines LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the fourth quarter worth $2,130,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Kroger Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE:KR traded up $0.07 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $68.92. 4,784,332 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,670,849. The firm's fifty day moving average is $68.55 and its 200-day moving average is $63.89. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $45.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.62. The Kroger Co. has a 12-month low of $49.04 and a 12-month high of $73.63.

Kroger (NYSE:KR - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 6th. The company reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.09 by $0.05. Kroger had a return on equity of 27.73% and a net margin of 1.85%. The business had revenue of $34.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $34.96 billion. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 4.44 EPS for the current year.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th will be given a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.86%. Kroger's payout ratio is 34.88%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on KR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Kroger from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $70.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Melius Research lowered shares of Kroger from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Kroger from $61.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $73.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $67.39.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Kenneth C. Kimball sold 11,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.37, for a total value of $719,070.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 127,106 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,308,919.22. This represents a 7.96% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Brian W. Nichols sold 1,300 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.71, for a total value of $86,723.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 12,090 shares in the company, valued at $806,523.90. This trade represents a 9.71% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 334,923 shares of company stock worth $22,867,124 in the last ninety days. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Kroger Company Profile

The Kroger Co operates as a food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price impact warehouses. Its combination food and drug stores offer natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers, fresh seafood, and organic produce; and multi-department stores provide apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products, and toys.