The Kroger Co. $KR Shares Acquired by Global Retirement Partners LLC

Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 149.7% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 22,825 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 13,684 shares during the quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC’s holdings in Kroger were worth $1,426,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in KR. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Kroger by 61.1% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 33,367,551 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,249,307,000 after purchasing an additional 12,652,261 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its position in Kroger by 66.6% during the 3rd quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 5,255,084 shares of the company’s stock worth $354,245,000 after acquiring an additional 2,100,444 shares during the period. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC boosted its position in Kroger by 299.6% during the 2nd quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 2,420,495 shares of the company’s stock worth $173,622,000 after acquiring an additional 1,814,721 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its position in Kroger by 95.6% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 2,434,663 shares of the company’s stock worth $174,638,000 after acquiring an additional 1,190,127 shares during the period. Finally, Alyeska Investment Group L.P. boosted its position in Kroger by 51.0% during the 3rd quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 2,991,513 shares of the company’s stock worth $201,658,000 after acquiring an additional 1,010,457 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Kroger Stock Up 0.1%

KR opened at $67.32 on Monday. The Kroger Co. has a one year low of $58.60 and a one year high of $76.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.80. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $69.56 and its 200-day moving average is $66.75. The company has a market capitalization of $41.24 billion, a PE ratio of 44.00, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.46.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 5th. The company reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.08. Kroger had a return on equity of 41.08% and a net margin of 0.69%.The company had revenue of $34.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $35.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.14 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. Kroger’s payout ratio is currently 91.50%.

Kroger News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger announced it will host its first-quarter 2026 earnings conference call on June 18, which keeps investors focused on upcoming results and any updates on pricing strategy and margins. Kroger Announces First Quarter Conference Call with Investors
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is also being viewed as a beneficiary of consumer trade-down trends as shoppers face higher gas prices, which could support traffic if its lower-price strategy resonates with value-focused households. Rising Gas Prices Are Hitting Household Budgets. Some Grocery Stores Are Eyeing Price Cuts In Response.
• Neutral Sentiment: Valerie Jabbar, senior vice president of Retail Divisions, retired after 38 years with Kroger; the move is a leadership update but does not appear to be a major stock driver on its own. Kroger Senior Vice President Valerie Jabbar Announces Retirement After 38 Years of Service
• Neutral Sentiment: Media coverage that Kroger is preparing price cuts and facing stiff competition from Walmart, Costco and Aldi reinforces the same story: stronger traffic potential, but likely margin pressure if discounts deepen. Kroger plans price cuts as new CEO looks to regain shoppers
• Negative Sentiment: Investors are likely concerned that a nationwide price-cut strategy could reduce profitability in the near term, especially if Kroger has to absorb higher costs while lowering shelf prices. Why Kroger Stock Dropped Today
• Negative Sentiment: Recent recall headlines involving Kroger-branded garlic cheese croutons and a separate Clean Air Act settlement may add modest reputational and legal overhang, though these look secondary to the pricing narrative. Kroger garlic cheese croutons sold in 17 states recalled for salmonella risk

Analyst Ratings Changes

KR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley set a $73.00 price target on Kroger and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Barclays reiterated a “positive” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Kroger from $68.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, March 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered Kroger from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $70.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $74.87.

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.