Todd Asset Management LLC Increases Stock Holdings in The Kroger Co. $KR

Todd Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 3.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,043,894 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 33,338 shares during the quarter. Kroger comprises approximately 1.3% of Todd Asset Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Todd Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Kroger were worth $65,223,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in KR. Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new position in Kroger in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Kroger by 268.1% in the fourth quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. bought a new position in Kroger in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Avalon Trust Co bought a new position in Kroger in the third quarter worth $29,000. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Kroger in the third quarter worth $31,000. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on KR shares. Wolfe Research reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $75.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, March 5th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $70.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and set a $78.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Morgan Stanley set a $73.00 price target on Kroger and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, Roth Mkm restated a “buy” rating and set a $78.00 price target (up from $75.00) on shares of Kroger in a report on Friday, March 6th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $74.87.

Kroger Price Performance

NYSE 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 stock has a 50-day moving average of $69.56 and a 200 day moving average of $66.75. The company has a market capitalization of $41.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.00, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.80.

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

Kroger Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be given a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.50%.

Key Headlines Impacting Kroger

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

Kroger 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.